In his first meeting with Israeli President Issac Herzog after the October 7 attacks by Hamas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday reiterated the need to continue providing humanitarian aid to the affected population in the region.
Modi met Herzog on the sidelines of the COP28 climate summit in Dubai and discussed the ongoing conflict. He expressed condolences for those killed in the October 7 attacks and expressed satisfaction that Hamas had recently released a number of hostages, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. Discussions on the conflict also featured prominently in Modi’s bilateral meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. “Both leaders reviewed their extensive and vibrant bilateral relations. Views were also exchanged on the conflict between Israel and Hamas, the MEA said.
Modi has also invited the UAE president to the vibrant Gujarat summit next month. Modi and Herzog are among more than 140 heads of state and government attending the high-level stage of the annual climate change conference. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was also supposed to attend the event, but he pulled out and sent his representative instead.
The Israeli-Palestinian issue is known to feature prominently in the leaders’ bilateral discussions, including those held by Modi. During the meeting with Herzog, the prime minister reiterated the need for the continued and safe delivery of humanitarian aid to the affected population. He emphasized India’s support for a two-state solution and an early and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian problem through dialogue. and diplomacy,” the MEA said in a statement.
President Herzog congratulated the Prime Minister on India’s successful chairmanship of the G20 and expressed satisfaction with the launch of the Indo-Middle East European Economic Corridor, which was one of the major decisions announced on the sidelines of the G20 summit in New Delhi. in September.
Among other world leaders, Modi also spoke with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni.
He later held bilateral meetings with French Prime Minister Emmanuel Macron, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Swiss Confederation President Alain Berset.
Modi left for New Delhi later that evening. During the meeting with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, the problems and concerns of the countries of the Global South were discussed. The Prime Minister thanked Guterres for his support during India’s presidency of the G20 and spoke about India’s climate action. “Both leaders exchanged views on Global South priorities and concerns related to climate action, climate finance, technology and reform of multilateral governance and financial institutions, including the United Nations,” the MEA said in a statement. “The UN Secretary General appreciated India’s efforts in sustainable development, climate action, MDB reforms and disaster management during the G20 presidency.
He welcomed the Prime Minister’s green credit initiative. He assured that he will work with India to build on the achievements of India’s presidency and take them forward at the Future UN Summit in 2024.
