Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday said that India is concerned over the conflict in Gaza and stressed that humanitarian crisis arising from conflicts require a sustainable solution that gives immediate relief to those most-affected. He asserted that world needs to be clear that terrorism and hostage taking "unacceptable."
In his virtual address at the 55th Session of the Human Rights Council, Jaishankar said, "The conflict in Gaza is of great concern to us all. The humanitarian crisis arising from conflicts require a sustainable solution that gives immediate relief to those most affected. At the same time, we must be clear that terrorism and hostage-taking are unacceptable."
"It also goes without saying that international humanitarian law must always be respected. It is vital that the conflict does not spread within or beyond the region. And efforts must also focus on seeking a two-state solution where Palestinian people can live within secure borders," he added.
Notably, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was one of the first world leaders to call out Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7 as a terror attack. Following Hamas' attack, Israel launched a counter-offensive against the terrorist group in Gaza.
Highlighting India's approach, he said, "Let me recall what Indian civilisational thought has always emphasised that the world shares one earth, we are one family and we have one future. Both as a motivating vision and as a call for action, this Indian approach is one of recognizing that we are defined more by how much we are alike than by our differences. But the many are impacted by the choices made by even a few and that this interconnectedness means a genuine dialogue as the only way to find solutions is not just and imperative but in fact inevitable."
He stated that nations need to work together in the United Nations and outside to find lasting solutions to geopolitical challenges and called it a "collective responsibility." He stressed that it is important to recognise that they need to reform "outdated structures and fix systemic flaws" for multilateralism to be credible, effective and responsive.
In his remarks at the 55th session of the Human Rights Council, he said, "It is therefore in our collective interest and responsibility to work together in the UN and outside to find lasting solutions to geopolitical challenges. For this to happen it is vital that we first recognize that for multilateralism to be credible, effective and responsive it is now high time to reform outdated structures and fix systemic flaws and urgently make multilateral frameworks fit for purpose reflecting current global realities. Let me conclude by reaffirming India's steadfast commitment to global promotion and protection of human rights and to their enjoyment by our people."
(ANI)