This is the first time India has commented on Israel’s bombing in Lebanon. Modi made no mention of the root cause of the West Asia crisis — the Palestine question — in his post though India’s official position continues to favour a two-state solution while simultaneously getting closer
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, stressing the need to avoid regional escalation two days after the Hezbollah confirmed that its secretary general Hassan Nasrallah had been killed in an Israeli bombing in Beirut.
“Spoke to Prime Minister @netanyahu about recent developments in West Asia. Terrorism has no place in our world. It is crucial to prevent regional escalation and ensure the safe release of all hostages. India is committed to supporting efforts for an early restoration of peace and stability,’’ Modi posted on X during a telephone conversation with the Israeli Prime Minister.
This is the first time India has commented on Israel’s bombing in Lebanon. Modi made no mention of the root cause of the West Asia crisis — the Palestine question — in his post though India’s official position continues to favour a two-state solution while simultaneously getting closer to Tel Aviv.
India has already advised its nationals in Lebanon to leave the country. While Nasrallah’s killing has made the situation even more dire, Lebanon has been in the crossfire since the Hamas attack on October 7 after Hezbollah began firing rockets into the border areas of northern Israel and Golan Heights in solidarity with Hamas.
The conflict in West Asia that had started with the abduction of Israeli citizens by Hamas in October last year, has been escalating.
Israel’s retaliatory strikes in Gaza has now expanded in scope. It struck back at Iran-backed Hezbollah, which attacked Israel and Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who have targetted Israel as well.
Israel has been carrying out airstrikes on Lebanon. It has also informed the US that it is planning a limited ground operation as well, US daily Washington Post has reported.
On Saturday, the Israeli army said it had eliminated Hezbollah chief Nasrallah in the strike on the group’s central command headquarters in Beirut. The hardliners in Iran are now calling for drastic measures against Israel, including closure of the vital Strait of Hormuz and nuclear weapon development.
Mr Netanyahu had responded, saying there was nowhere in the Middle East beyond Israel’s reach.
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati had called for a ceasefire in the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah during a meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in Beirut today.
Discover more from
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
