Riyadh, Sept 09: Describing the current situation in Gaza as India’s “foremost concern”, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday said that New Delhi supports a ceasefire “as soon as possible” in the region, where Israel and Hamas are engaged in conflict since last 11 months.
Jaishankar made the remarks while speaking at the first India-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Ministerial Meeting for Strategic Dialogue in the Saudi capital.
“The current situation in Gaza is now understandably our foremost concern. India’s position in this regard has been principled and consistent. While we condemn acts of terrorism and hostage taking, we are deeply pained by the continuing death of innocent civilians,” he said.
Jaishankar said that any response must take into account the principles of humanitarian law. “We support a ceasefire as soon as possible,” he added.
On October 7, Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip, launched an unprecedented attack on Israel by land, air and sea, killing 1,200 people and kidnapping 250 others. Israel launched offensive in Gaza, causing widespread devastation and killing around 40,000 people, according to local health officials.
The two sides have so far failed to reach a cease-fire to end the 11-month-old conflict.
Jaishankar said India has consistently stood for a resolution of the Palestinian issue through a two-state solution. India has also contributed to the building of Palestinian institutions and capacities, he added.
“Where the humanitarian situation is concerned, we have provided relief and increased our support to UNRWA,” he added.
The GCC is an influential grouping, comprising the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait. The total volume of India’s trade with GCC countries stood at USD 184.46 billion in the financial year 2022-23.
Jaishankar said it was a great pleasure for him to participate in the first India-GCC Ministerial Meeting for Strategic Dialogue and added that the meeting is not just an occasion to reflect on achievements but an opportunity to chart an ambitious and far-reaching course for the future.
“The relationship between India and the GCC is rooted in a rich tapestry of history, culture, and shared values. These bonds have grown stronger with time, evolving into a partnership that spans economics, energy, defence, technology, education, people-to-people ties and beyond,” he said.
Underlining that there are many ways to contemplate partnership between the two sides, the minister offered the framework of 3Ps – People, Prosperity and Progress.
“Our people-to-people ties are the bedrock of our relationship. Close to 9 million Indians work and live amongst you, acting as a living bridge between us. Their contributions to your economic progress are widely recognized. We thank you for ensuring their welfare and comfort,” he said.
He said trade has not only expanded in volume but also in diversity, encompassing a wide range of goods and services that fuel economies and create jobs. “The task before us is to invest in each other’s future and support each other’s continued prosperity,” he said.
He identified the GCC as a cornerstone of global energy supply and said India is one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing markets. “Much of the future demand is going to come from us. Our deeper collaboration will help in stabilizing markets, driving innovation and enhancing energy security,” he added.
“Our partnership in the areas of renewables, technology and innovation, health, space, and education can also help realize our respective national goals,” Jaishankar said.
Jaishankar said that the GCC-India relationship is built on a foundation of trust, mutual respect, and a shared vision for the future. “It has a larger goal of advancing progress in a world that is characterized by technological advancements, changing geopolitics, shifts in the global economy and the urgent need to address environmental sustainability,” he said.
Noting that the Gulf region occupies a central place in contemporary geopolitics, the minister said that, “in a world polarised by conflict and tension, we share a commitment to global peace, security, and stability.”
Underlining that sometimes it is adversity that brings out the real importance of friendships, the minister said that the pandemic underlined how relevant we are to each other for health security, food security and maritime security.
“Similarly, the demands of AI, of electric mobility and of green growth highlight the importance of sharing human resources. Conflict and tensions bring out the importance of cooperating on connectivity. In a world moving towards multipolarity, we can be mutually supportive of each other’s aspirations,” he said.
“Let us use this platform to deepen our ties, explore new avenues of cooperation, and build a collaborative future,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Jaishankar met his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov here in the Saudi capital and held a “useful conversation” with him, days after President Vladimir Putin named India among the three countries he is constantly in touch over the Ukraine conflict.
Their interaction took place on the sidelines of the India-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) foreign ministers’ meeting. Both the ministers are in the Saudi capital to attend ministerial meetings of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
“A useful conversation with FM Sergey Lavrov of Russia today on the sidelines of the GCC meeting,” Jaishankar said in a post on X.
Earlier, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a post on X said that Foreign Minister Lavrov held a meeting with Jaishankar.
He also met Brazilian counterpart Mauro Vieira and discussed G20, BRICS and the Ukraine conflict.
On Thursday, President Putin named India among the three countries he is constantly in touch over the Ukraine conflict and said they are sincerely making efforts to resolve it.
Speaking at the plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) in Vladivostok, Putin said, “If there is a desire of Ukraine to carry on with the negotiations, I can do that.”
His remarks came within two weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic visit to Ukraine, where he held talks with President President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“We respect our friends and partners, who, I believe, sincerely seek to resolve all issues surrounding this conflict, primarily China, Brazil and India. I constantly keep in touch with our colleagues on this issue,” Putin was quoted as saying by Russia’s TASS news agency.
Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov last week told the Izvestia daily that India could help in establishing a dialogue on Ukraine.
Underlining the existing “highly constructive, even friendly relations” between Modi and Putin, he said the Indian Prime Minister can “lead the line on getting first-hand information from the participants in this conflict,” as he “freely communicates with Putin, with Zelenskyy, and with the Americans.”
“This gives a great opportunity for India to throw its weight in world affairs, to use its influence that would drive the Americans and Ukrainians towards using a greater political will and entering the peaceful settlement track,” Peskov said.
He, however, said there are “no specific plans” for Modi to mediate on the issue.
“At this time they can hardly exist, as we do not see any preconditions for talks for now,” the Kremlin spokesman said.
Modi on August 23 visited Ukraine where he conveyed to President Zelenskyy that both Ukraine and Russia should sit together without wasting time to end the ongoing war and that India was ready to play an “active role” to restore peace in the region.
His nearly nine-hour visit to Ukraine, the first by an Indian prime minister since its independence in 1991, came six weeks after he held summit talks with President Putin that triggered anguish in some Western countries.
In his talks with Zelenskyy in Kyiv, Modi said India was on the side of peace since the beginning of the conflict and he would even like to contribute personally to a peaceful resolution of the crisis.
Jaishankar arrived in the Saudi capital Sunday on the first leg of his three-nation tour to attend the first India-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) foreign ministers’ meeting.
The GCC is an influential grouping, comprising the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait. The total volume of India’s trade with GCC countries stood at USD 184.46 billion in the financial year 2022-23.
From Riyadh, Jaishankar will travel to Germany where he will meet the German Foreign Minister as well as the leadership and other Ministers from the German government to review the entire gamut of bilateral relations. This will be his third bilateral visit to Berlin.
On the third and final leg of his trip, Jaishankar will visit Geneva.
