- Since Israel declared war on Hamas after the terror group unleashed mayhem in southern Israel on October 7, PM Modi has had regular telephone conversations with world leaders.
- During the conversation with PM Modi, Raisi recalled India’s struggle for independence and slammed Israel for killing innocent civilians.
- He supported the idea of an immediate ceasefire between the two warring parties and for humanitarian aid to be provided to Palestinians.
- “Palestinian resistance groups have a legitimate right to confront the occupation of the usurping Zionist regime,” he said.
- During the conversations with all these leaders, PM Modi reiterated its stance against terrorism while advocating for early resolution of the conflict.
- PM Modi also urged both leaders to allow the passage of humanitarian aid to the war-ravaged nations.
The two leaders spoke on Monday, where PM Modi raised grave concerns over the difficult situation in the Middle East. During the conversation, the Indian leader said that terrorist incidents, violence, and loss of civilian lives were serious concerns and underscored the early restoration of peace and stability.
According to an Iranian statement, Raisi recalled the history of India’s struggle for independence and its position as one of the founders of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), urging it to use “all its capacities” to end Israel’s “crimes against the oppressed people of Gaza”.
Raisi said that Iran supports any global joint effort for an immediate ceasefire, lifting the blockade and providing aid to the oppressed people of Gaza.
During the conversation, Raisi highlighted that Israel killed the “oppressed” and innocent women and children, along with attacking hospitals, schools, mosques, churches, and residential areas. “Palestinian resistance groups have a legitimate right to confront the occupation of the usurping Zionist regime and all countries must support the Palestinian people’s struggle for freedom from oppression,” he said.
He also slammed Western countries for condemning the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, equating it with Nazi Germany and the allied forces in the Second World War. He also called the United States the main accomplice of Israel’s atrocities in Gaza due to “its all-round financial, weapons and intelligence support.
In another part of the conversation with PM Modi, Raisi described Iran’s view of relations with India as strategic and emphasized the necessity of planning for the development of cooperation and compensating for the delays in this field, according to the statement. He also expected India to make serious investments to strengthen sustainable economic cooperation, including in Chabahar Port, while highlighting the benefits of the 7,200 km-long International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
PM Modi also said that India considers Iran “very important and effective” in stopping the deaths of women and children in the besieged Gaza Strip and delivering humanitarian aid to them, read the statement.
Notably, the latest development came as more than 10,000 people including women and children have been killed in the Gaza Strip since the day the Israeli Defence Forces started its operation- “Wipe out Hamas”, according to the local health ministry. However, India TV is not in the position to independently verify this claim amid the fact the Gaza health ministry is run by Hamas.
It is worth mentioning ever since the war between the two Middle Eastern nations escalated earlier last month, the Indian Prime Minister held telephonic conversations with several leaders including his Israeli counterpart and “friend” Benjamin Netanyahu, Palestinian leader, Mahmoud Abbas, UAE President, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and UK PM Rishi Sunak. During the conversations with all these leaders, PM Modi reiterated its stance against terrorism while advocating for early resolution of the conflict.
Besides, he also urged both leaders to allow the passage of humanitarian aid to the war-ravaged nations. Later, New Delhi also sent its aircraft filled with medical aid and other critical equipment.