The two leaders agree on the need to facilitate humanitarian assistance
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephone conversation with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on Saturday (October 27, 2023) and discussed the need for early peace and stability in West Asia.
 
During the conversation which came in the backdrop of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, the two leaders shared their concerns regarding terrorism and violence as well as loss of civilian lives. 
 
"Yesterday, spoke with President @AlsisiOfficial. Exchanged views on the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in West Asia. We share concerns regarding terrorism, violence, and loss of civilian lives. We agree on the need for early restoration of peace and stability and facilitating humanitarian assistance," Prime Minister M Modi wrote on social media platform X (earlier known as Twitter) on Sunday (October 29, 2023).
 
The two leaders discussed the current situation in West Asia and its implications for the region and the world, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) later said. Both leaders expressed their shared concern at terrorism, violence and loss of civilian lives, the PMO added.
 
During the conversation, Prime Minister Modi reiterated India’s long-standing and principled position on the Israel-Palestine issue. He also highlighted India’s development partnership and humanitarian aid for the people of Palestine.
 
"The two leaders agreed on the need for early restoration of peace and stability and facilitating humanitarian assistance," the PMO noted.
 
Since the Israel-Hamas conflict began, Prime Minister Modi has talked with Jordanian King Abdullah II as well as with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. He had earlier received a call from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on October 10, 2023. His Israeli counterpart updated Prime Minister Modi on the ongoing situation after the terrorist attacks on Israel by Hamas.
 
Palestine-based Hamas militants had launched an unprecedented attack on Israeli locations on October 7, 2023, firing at least 2,500 rockets into the country. Armed groups broke through the fencing around the Gaza Strip and attacked Israeli settlements, killing hundreds of people including over 200 attending a music concert. The militants also took about 200 people, including women and children, hostage.
 
The Israeli Defence Forces have responded with their full might, initially using air power and then land raids to target what they say are locations of the Hamas leadership in the Gaza area.
 
According to reports, over 1,400 Israelis have been killed; Palestinian authorities say at least 8,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 7.
 
India has already sent humanitarian aid for Palestinians. The relief material was handed over to the Egyptian Red Crescent last week for onward transport to Palestine.
 
India had on Friday abstained from voting in the UN General Assembly on the draft resolution submitted by Jordan as it did not condemn Hamas or its attack on Israel on October 7.
 
Talking about its consistent stand on Palestine, India at the UN said it “has always supported a negotiated two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine issue leading to the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable state of Palestine living within secure and recognized borders, side-by-side in peace with Israel. For this, we urge the parties to de-escalate, eschew violence and work towards creating conditions for an early resumption of direct peace negotiations.”
 
The resolution in the UNGA did not include any explicit condemnation of the terrorist attacks of October 7. Prior to the vote on the main resolution, an amendment was moved to include this aspect.
 
“We voted in favour of the amendment and it obtained 88 votes in favour (but not the requisite two thirds majority),” a source said.
 
“In the absence of all elements of our approach not being covered in the final text of the resolution, we abstained in the vote on its adoption,” the source added.