New Delhi: In a significant diplomatic statement, India reiterated its stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict, branding it as a terrorist attack while championing the need for direct negotiations to ensure peaceful coexistence.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi, expressed India’s perspective, stating, “We have been very clear that we see it as a terrorist attack. As far as Palestine is concerned, India has advocated the resumption of direct negotiations towards establishing the sovereign, independent, and viable state of Palestine, living within secure and recognized borders side by side with Israel.”
The spokesperson’s remarks came in response to a series of inquiries regarding the escalating Israel-Palestine conflict, which witnessed heightened tensions after the Hamas group launched rocket attacks on Tel Aviv.
Bagchi underlined that the government’s primary focus is the safe return of approximately 18,000 Indians currently stranded in the region. He affirmed, “Our focus is to bring back Indians who want to come out of Israel. There are 18,000 Indians there, including students.” He further disclosed the launch of “Operation Ajay” to facilitate the repatriation of Indian citizens from the war-torn Israel.
“Yesterday, Operation Ajay was launched to facilitate our citizens who wish to come back. The first flight will reach Tel Aviv tonight and is likely to reach India tomorrow (Friday) with 230 people,” Bagchi informed.
He also assured that there have been no reported casualties among the Indians stranded in Israel, except for one individual who sustained an injury. “We are aware of one Indian who was injured. The person is in the hospital. Thankfully, we have not heard of any Indian casualty,” he added.
Addressing concerns about Indians in Palestine, Bagchi shared, “My understanding is that about a dozen-odd people are there in the West Bank, while 3-4 people are in Gaza. The number is very small. Mostly, we have received requests (to rescue) from Israel.”
Moreover, the Indian Air Force has kept its aircraft on standby, prepared to evacuate Indian citizens from Israel if necessary. The IAF’s transport aircraft fleet, including the C-17 and IL-76 heavy-lift transport planes, along with the C-130J Super Hercules Special Operations aircraft, is ready for such evacuation operations, according to reports citing IAF officials.
In response to questions about reports suggesting External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s interactions with his Canadian counterpart, Bagchi clarified, “We have been in touch with Canadians at various levels, but we do not have any specific information regarding any particular interaction.”
Regarding Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau raising concerns about his country’s relations with India during discussions with other world leaders, Bagchi emphasized, “We don’t know really how it will help address the core issue of Canada giving space to terrorists and criminal elements. We would urge Canada to take more seriously their international obligations to provide security to our diplomats in their premises.”
