India Supports Establishment Of Independent Palestine State: Govt

New Delhi: Amid the ongoing war between Israel and Palestinian terrorist group Hamas, India reiterated that it supported the establishment of a “sovereign, independent and viable” state of Palestine.

“Our policy has been long-standing and consistent. India always advocated the resumption of direct negotiations towards establishing a sovereign, independent and viable state of Palestine, living within secure and recognised borders, side by side at peace with Israel. I think that position remains the same,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said at a press conference on Thursday.

The Indian government expressed its solidarity to Israel after Hamas launched an unexpected attack on Saturday, forcing Israel to declare a state of war.

Asked about the situation in Israel and Gaza, Bagchi said there was a universal obligation to observe humanitarian law.

“There is also the responsibility to fight the menace of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” he added.

On a question whether India will provide help to Israel in the form of weapons, Bagchi said: “Right now, our main focus is to get Indians from Israel back safely.”

He informed that there are about 18,000 Indians in Israel and that India had received information about one of its citizens being injured there.

‘Operation Ajay’ has been launched to bring back Indian citizens from Israel, and the first chartered flight will land in Israel on Thursday night and is expected to return with around 230 Indians on Friday.