We condemn terrorism, we condemn hostage-taking. We do believe countries have the right to respond to the situation but countries should be mindful of civilian casualties- S Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister

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External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told Rajya Sabha that the countries have the right to respond to situations but they should be mindful of civilian casualties and must observe humanitarian laws.

Responding to supplementaries during the Question Hour regarding India’s position on the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, he said, “We condemn terrorism, we condemn hostage-taking. We do believe countries have the right to respond to the situation but countries should be mindful of civilian casualties. They must observe humanitarian law and we would like a ceasefire and an early end of violence.”

As per PTI report When asked the reason for India’s abstention from a resolution in the UN General Assembly on October 27, 2023, regarding the protection of civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations, Jaishankar said there were many resolutions in the UN General Assembly and in some India abstained and in some, it voted in favour.

According to him, there are several reasons to abstain such as a resolution is not balanced, it is more divisive, it can set a precedence which has consequences for India or it has larger implications.

“In this particular case, we felt that the resolution was not well-drafted and not well-considered. We had reservations on the language. Our concern was not accommodated. That is why we abstained,” he said.

Responding to TMC MP Saket Gokhle, who asked about India’s position on a ban imposed by the Israeli government on the UN aid agency UNRWA and how India is sending aid to Palestine, Jaishankar said the government has stood by its decision to send humanitarian aid and it has just released the latest tranche of support to the UNRWA.

He further asked that India always supported a two-state solution and in the UN, India abstained on a resolution against Israeli illegal settlement in the West Bank.

“What is India’s position on the illegal settlement made by Israel in the West Bank in Palestine,” Gokhle asked.

“Regarding the two-state solution, we supported the two-state solution. We have been public and unambiguous about that. There should be no cause for confusion regarding a two-state solution,” Jaishankar answered.