India has kept a balanced stand on the changing situation of West Asia as it holds close and strategic relations both with Israel and Arab nations.
New Delhi: External affairs minister S Jaishankar and Israel’s counterpart Gideon Sa’ar discussed developments in West Asia amidst fresh efforts to finalize a truce between Israel and Hamas Wednesday.
During their phone call, the two foreign ministers also discussed how to fortify bilateral ties further. Pleased to speak to FM @gidonsaar of Israel today. Appreciate his briefing on the ongoing developments in the region,” Jaishankar said on X.
“Also discussed our bilateral relations and efforts to strengthen them. Look forward to meeting in person.” In his post on X, Sa’ar described India as a “giant country, one of the most important in the world, and friendly to Israel.” He added, “We agreed to meet soon and work together to strengthen our bilateral relations.”
India has remained balanced in this emerging West Asia scenario owing to its close and strategic relationships with both Israel and Arab states. It strongly condemned the terror attacks and hostage-taking by Hamas last October but also advised Israel to take into account humanitarian concerns in its reaction. New Delhi has also urged a return to dialogue and diplomacy that will ultimately lead to a two-state solution.
The conversation between Jaishankar and Sa’ar came against the backdrop of efforts in Cairo by the US and Arab mediators to agree with Israel and Hamas to halt the 14-month war in the Gaza Strip.
A Palestinian official close to the negotiations told Reuters on Wednesday that mediators had narrowed gaps in most of the agreement’s clauses. He said Israel had introduced conditions that Hamas rejected.
