India reaffirms support for two-state solution amid Trump's Gaza proposal
New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar reiterated India’s support for a two-state solution in the Israel-Palestine conflict during the G20 foreign ministers' conference in South Africa. This marks the first official comment from India following US President Donald Trump's controversial proposal to "take over" Gaza and deport its two million Palestinian residents to Egypt and Jordan.
Trump’s proposal has drawn sharp criticism from Arab nations but received backing from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Jaishankar emphasized India's consistent stance on promoting peace and stability in West Asia.
“On the Middle East, we welcome the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release, support humanitarian assistance, condemn terrorism, and advocate a two-state solution,” Jaishankar stated. He also stressed the importance of maintaining the ceasefire in Lebanon and supporting a Syrian-led peace process.
Analysts have warned that Trump’s plan could render the two-state solution impossible by eliminating the possibility of a contiguous Palestinian state.
In addition, Jaishankar addressed other global conflicts, urging for peaceful negotiations in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. This came after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s recent talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, which faced criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for excluding Ukraine from the discussions.
Highlighting overlooked crises, Jaishankar called for more global attention on conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, and the Sahel region.
On the Indo-Pacific front, he emphasized respect for international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982), urging all parties to honor agreements and avoid coercion.
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Kohli's U-19 teammate Amanpreet Singh Gill dies at 36
New Delhi (PTI): Former India U-19 and Punjab medium pacer Amanpreet Singh Gill died at the age of 36 in Chandigarh on Wednesday, leaving the cricket fraternity in mourning.
The cause of death is not yet known.
Gill, who was Virat Kohli's U-19 teammate, featured in six first-class matches for Punjab, picking up 11 wickets.
He was also part of the Punjab franchise (Kings XI Punjab) in the inaugural Indian Premier League season, and later served as a member of Punjab's senior selection committee.
"Punjab Cricket Association deeply mourns the sad demise of Amanpreet Singh Gill, former Punjab cricketer and Member, Senior Selection Committee Punjab,” the Punjab Cricket Association announced on X.
"Our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and loved ones. May Waheguru grant eternal peace to the departed soul and strength to the family in this difficult time."
Two-time World Cup-winning India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh also paid tribute to Gill.
"Deeply saddened to hear about Amanpreet Singh Gill’s passing. Shared the dressing room in our early days, he was a quiet, hardworking cricketer who loved the game. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. Rest in peace Om Shanti,” Singh posted on X.
Gill played five Youth ODIs and one Youth Test for India in 2007.
In the longer format, he claimed the wicket of former Sri Lanka all-rounder Thisara Perera.
However, he did not make the Virat Kohli-led India U-19 side that went on to win the 2008 World Cup.
“Deeply saddened by the passing of Amanpreet Singh Shergill, who proudly represented Punjab and was a part of the Punjab Kings family. Our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and the entire cricketing fraternity,” Punjab Kings posted on their official Instagram account.
