PM Narendra Modi reiterated that the Gaza peace plan, endorsed by the UN, opens the road to peace, as he met his ‘brother’ and Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu.
TelAviv/New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday renewed India's stance on the Gaza issue, saying humanity must never become a "victim of conflict". Speaking at a joint press briefing with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel, PM Modi said that the road to peace can be achieved through the Gaza Peace Initiative.
"India's stance is clear: Humanity must never become a victim of conflict. A path to peace has been created through the Gaza Peace Plan. India has fully supported these efforts. In the future as well, we will continue dialogue and cooperation with all countries," he added.
The Prime Minister has been clear about the message that India is on the side of peace, while also condemning the October 7 massacre by Hamas in Israel. During his historic address to the Knesset (Israel's parliament), the 75-year-old said that while the path to peace is not always easy, New Delhi supports the international community in working towards dialogue, peace, and stability.
Modi added that the Gaza peace plan, endorsed by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), was the path towards "just and durable peace" in the region. He, however, stressed that terrorism in any part of the world "threatens peace everywhere".
"The Gaza Peace Initiative that was endorsed by the UN Security Council offers a pathway. India has expressed its firm support for the initiative. We believe that it holds the promise of a just and durable peace for all the people of the region, including by addressing the Palestine issue," he said. "Let all our efforts be guided by wisdom, courage, and humanity. The road to peace is not always easy. But India joins you and the world for dialogue, peace and stability in this region," PM Modi said in the Knesset.
PM Modi also asserted that there is no place for terrorism in both India and Israel. India and Israel have signed several deals across sectors such as AI, education, and cybersecurity, among others, during PM Modi's two-day visit to the Jewish nation. This was the Prime Minister's second visit to Israel, with the earlier visit being during his first term in 2017. He also became the first Indian leader to address the Knesset this week..
India-Israel bond stood test of time
PM Modi said that the relationship between India and Israel has stood the test of time at every challenge as it is based on deep mutual trust, shared democratic values, and a strong foundation of human sensitivity.
He announced that both countries have taken the "historic decision" to elevate their time-tested partnership to the status of a 'Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation and Prosperity’. As the countries decided to give a new momentum to bilateral cooperation, PM Modi also asserted that economic collaboration has become an engine for growth, innovation and shared prosperity.
Modi highlighted that there has been a long and successful history of agricultural cooperation between the two countries. "Today, we have resolved to give this collaboration a futuristic direction. The Centres of Excellence established in India with Israel’s support are prime examples of our friendship. Observing their success, we have decided to expand their number to 100," he mentioned.
