Resolution: PM Narendra Modi talks to Jordan King, calls for early resolution of Gaza conflict | India News

NEW DELHI: In another sign of India’s evolving position on the Israel-Hamas war, PM Narendra Modi called for concerted efforts for “early resolution of the security and humanitarian situation” in a conversation with Jordan’s King Abdullah II, the third West Asian leader he has spoken to since the October 7 terror attack by Hamas on Israel and the latter’s retributive bombing of Gaza.

The assertion by Modi after the talks, in which he also underlined India’s concerns over terrorism, is significant as it’s the closest that India has come to calling for a ceasefire and came a day after India despatched aid for civilians in Gaza. The US had last week vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that called for “humanitarian pauses” in the conflict but the EU on Monday indicated it might back such a pause to facilitate distribution of aid in Gaza.Jordan, which signed a peace deal with Israel in 1994, is an important stakeholder in the Israel-Palestine conflict as it shares border with the West Bank and Palestinians make up a significant number of its population. It’s also the official custodian of the Al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, a perennial flashpoint in the conflict.

While Modi called for an early resolution, a Jordanian readout said the two leaders discussed means to stop the deteriorating situation in Gaza and also covered the need to step up international efforts to end the “war on Gaza, protect civilians and hospitals, and guarantee the sustained delivery of medical and relief aid into the strip”.

The King, who called off a summit with President Joe Biden last week after Israel was accused of bombing a hospital in Gaza, also warned of the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and the repercussions of what is happening in the Gaza strip on the region and the world.
In his remarks on X, Modi said he had exchanged views on the developments in the West Asia region. “We share concerns regarding terrorism, violence and loss of civilian lives. Concerted efforts needed for early resolution of the security and humanitarian situation,” he said.
India’s first reaction to the conflict, in the form of remarks by Modi again on X, had the government condemning the Hamas assault as terrorist strikes. Modi reiterated the same in his conversation with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and also raised concerns over terrorism in his talks with Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas. As concerns grew over relentless bombing of Gaza by Israel, India balanced its position by expressing concerns over civilian casualties, seeking adherence to international humanitarian law and reiterating its longstanding support for a two-state solution.