Worried over Gaza crisis, tells Palestine Prez

Amid the ongoing strife in West Asia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas on the sidelines of the UN Summit of the Future in New York on Sunday.

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The Ministry of External Affairs posted details of the meeting on its website on Monday morning (Indian time) saying, “The PM expressed deep concern over the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza and the deteriorating security situation in the region, and reaffirmed India’s unwavering support to the people of Palestine.”

The meeting came days after India abstained in the UN General Assembly on a resolution that demanded that Israel bring an end, “without delay”, to its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory within 12 months. The 193-member General Assembly adopted the resolution with 124 nations voting in favour, 14 against and 43 abstentions.

Modi reiterated India’s time-tested principled position to Abbas on the Israel-Palestine issue and called for a ceasefire, release of hostages and return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy. Modi said, “Only a two-state solution will deliver enduring peace and stability in the region.” Recalling that India was one of the first countries to recognise Palestine, he conveyed India’s continued support to the Palestine membership of the UN. The two leaders held discussions on various facets of the bilateral relations, including India’s ongoing assistance and support to Palestine in the field of education, health and other capacity-building efforts.

The issue of Gaza had also cropped up at the Quad Leaders’ Summit in the US on Saturday. The leaders, in joint statement, said, “We share great interest in achieving peace and stability in West Asia. We condemn the terror attacks on October 7, 2023.”

On the sidelines of the UN meet, Modi also met Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli.