'India supports ...': What Jaishankar said on Israel-Palestine crisis

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar (Courtesy: PTI file photo)

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on December 4 reiterated India's support for a two-State Solution to the Palestine issue.

"India's policy towards Palestine has been long-standing and we have always supported a negotiated two-State solution, towards the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine within secure and recognised borders, living side-by-side in peace with Israel," he said.

Jaishankar was responding to a query on India's position on the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine during the Question Hour in Rajya Sabha.

"India always supported a two-state solution and in the UN, India abstained on a resolution against Israeli illegal settlement in the West Bank. We have been public and unambiguous about that. There should be no cause for confusion regarding a two-state solution," he added.

The EAM also made it clear that India condemns both terrorism as well as hostage-taking. "We condemn terrorism, we condemn hostage-taking. We do believe countries have the right to respond to the situation but countries should be mindful of civilian casualties. They must observe humanitarian law and we would like a ceasefire and an early end of violence," he said.

During the session, TMC MP Saket Gokhle asked Jaishankar about India's position on a ban imposed by the Israeli government on the UN aid agency UNRWA and how India is sending aid to Palestine.

"The government has stood by its decision to send humanitarian aid and it has just released the latest tranche of support to the UNRWA," he answered.

The External Affairs Minister also defended India's defence cooperation with Israel and said that it is one of the nations with whom we have a strong record of national security. "Israel stood by New Delhi during security threats and both sides have a strong record of cooperation in the area of national security. It is also a country which has stood by us and different moments when our national security was under threat. When we take any decision, we will bear in mind the larger circumstances but we will be guided by our national security interests," Jaishankar added.