India backs two-state solution to resolve Israel-Palestine conflict: EAM S Jaishankar
Mumbai, Jan 30: India favours a two-state solution to end the decades-long Israel-Palestine conflict, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Tuesday as the latest war in the Gaza Strip, ignited by the Hamas' brutal attacks inside the Jewish state in early October, shows no sign of coming to an end.
Replying to a question at an interaction with students of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Mumbai, Jaishankar, "It is certainly the view of India, and a very large number of countries that (the problem can be) only be done (resolved) through a two-state solution that there has to be a Palestinian state side-by-side with the state of Israel."
"So for us today, there are all the aspects. We cannot take one aspect and say that's the only aspect because if you see the debate in the world in a way that is what people are doing," he said.
The diplomat-turned-politician maintained that if there are six issues out there, and if anyone takes one or two and if the rest four don't matter then such an approach won't work in resolving the conflict.
"I think that is not helpful. I think we have to look at the totality of all these issues and strike the right balance and that is really in a way what we are trying," he added.
About 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed in the attacks, while nearly 250 Israelis and other nationals were taken hostage by Hamas.
"I don't think there should be confusion on that and as a country which has itself experienced so much terrorism, I think it's important that we recognise that and we expressed that solidarity (with Israel) as another victim of terrorism," noted the External Affairs Minister.
On Israel's strong response to the Hamas attacks, which triggered a war in the Gaza Strip, he said when any country responds, it is equally important to observe international laws, and called for avoiding civilian casualties.
The nearly four-month-long war has killed more than 26,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, destroyed vast swaths of the Gaza Strip, a tiny but densely populated Palestinian enclave, and displaced nearly 85 per cent of the territory's population.
Israel says its air and ground offensive has killed more than 9,000 Hamas members.
"Every effort should be made to ideally avoid or limit civilian casualties," Jaishankar insisted.
Where there is a situation in which civilians are affected, which is the case today (in Israel-Hamas war) very manifestly in Gaza, there has to be some kind of sustainable humanitarian corridor which will deal with it, Jaishankar said.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Mamata alleges BJP disrupted her Bhabanipur rally, Suvendu claims 'she's nervous'
Kolkata (PTI): Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee cut short her speech at a rally in her Bhabanipur constituency, alleging that the BJP was deliberately playing loud music from a nearby public meeting.
A peeved Banerjee said despite having the required permission of the Election Commission, her rally in Chakraberia was disrupted by the BJP, "who want to capture Bengal by intimidation and threat".
"It is not possible for me to go ahead with this meeting. If they can do such a thing in my constituency, imagine how undemocratic the BJP is. If they behave like this, I have to take legal action," she said.
"This is an insult, humiliation. BJP is stepping on our toes to instigate trouble. Not possible to address the gathering in this situation. I am leaving the stage. Please vote for me in your protest," she added.
Banerjee was then seen calling someone over and venting her grievances.
Before leaving the stage, she said, "I will hold a rally tomorrow at the same spot."
TMC supporters then rushed towards the BJP rally, which was later addressed by Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, but security personnel intervened and prevented the situation from escalating.
TMC workers later staged a demonstration outside the local police station and filed a complaint, alleging that the BJP violated the model code of conduct.
A senior TMC leader said another complaint will also be lodged with the Election Commission.
Asked about Banerjee's allegations, Adhikari told reporters after the rally he held nearby, "Her reaction shows she is nervous about the imminent loss."
"There was no violence, no obstruction in her meeting and her behaviour shows her nervousness. On May 4, people of Bhabanipur will celebrate the victory of the BJP," he claimed, alleging that the TMC also tried to disrupt his meeting by playing loud music.
South Kolkata's Bhabanipur, one of the battleground seats in the West Bengal elections, will vote in the second phase on April 29.
