West Asia conflict: India finds civilian casualties “unacceptable”, favours two-state solution

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Monday expressed deep concern over the escalating conflict in the region and called for ceasefire, while reiterating two-state solution to the Palestinian issue.

Mr Jaishankar, while condemning “terrorism and hostage taking”, also stressed that India regards large scale civilian casualties in military operations as unacceptable and International humanitarian law cannot be disregarded.

“In immediate terms, we should all support a ceasefire. India has also extended relief directly and through UNRWA. In the longer term, it is imperative that the future of the Palestinian people be addressed. India favours a two-State solution,” the External Affairs Minister remarked while speaking at the Mediterranean dialogue., 2024 in Rome.

“Our concerns have also been increasing on the widening of the conflict. We have been in regular touch with both Israel and Iran at the highest levels to advocate restraint and enhance communication,” he said.

The External Affairs Minister said India had great stake in peace in the Middle East. He pointed out that the country’s trade with the Gulf alone was in the range of 160-180 billion USD annually, while the rest of MENA adds about another USD 20 billion, and more than 9 million Indians live and work in the region. Whether it is energy, technology, industrial projects or services, India has big stakes, as It is also a region to which the country is connected in history, culture and security.

In this context, the Mediterranean presents both opportunities and risks in an uncertain and volatile world, he said.

“Beyond extrapolating current trends, the new element of our relationship will be connectivity. The IMEEC (India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor) that was announced in September 2023 can be a game changer. The conflict underway currently in the Middle East has undoubtedly been a major complication,” he said

He, however, said that the IMEEC was proceeding ahead on the Eastern side, especially between India, UAE and Saudi Arabia.

He highlighted some facts regarding the relevance of India to the Mediterranean. “Our annual trade with the Mediterranean nations is about USD 80 billion. We have a diaspora here of 460,000. About 40% of that is in Italy. Our key interests are in fertilizers, energy, water technology, diamonds, defence and cyber. India has significant projects underway as airports, ports, railway, steel, green hydrogen, phosphates and submarine cables. Our political relations with the Mediterranean are strong and our defence collaboration is growing including more exercises and exchanges,” he said.

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