The White House
has called Bharat a key strategic partner and said US will leave it to the
Indian Government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to decide the country’s
stance on any particular crisis or contingency around the world.
National Security
Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby was referring to Bharat’s
stand on the Israel crisis.
“India is a key
strategic partner. And I think you saw that on full display when Prime Minister
Modi was here,” John Kirby said.
“We’ll leave it to
the Indian Government and the Prime Minister to decide, what their stance is
gonna be on any particular crisis or contingency around the world, to include
the Middle East, but they remain a key strategic partner, and we’re dedicated
to advancing that partnership, every single day,” Kirby said.
This comes as US State
Secretary Antony Blinken is set to arrive in New Delhi tomorrow to participate
in the 5th India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue.
The 2+2
Ministerial Dialogue is a diplomatic summit held every year since 2018, with
the Minister of External Affairs and the Defence Minister representing Bharat and
the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defence representing United States.
The discussions will
centre on common issues of concern between the two countries.
Meanwhile, terming
Bharat a crucial “moral voice” across the world, Israeli Ambassador to Bharat Naor
Gilon recently urged New Delhi to designate Hamas as a terror organisation in Bharat
as well.
He stated that
both Bharat and Israel have a “shared war” against terror and counter-terrorism
is one of the areas where the countries align.
Speaking during a
press briefing, Gilon said, “Prime Minister Modi Ji was among the first leaders
in the world to come out with a clear statement… this was before we had
understood the full magnitude of what had happened… I think, that set a very
strong tone of clear condemnation of terrorism. It’s important to us because
India is a very close ally”.
“India is also a
very important moral voice in the world and when it comes to terror, India is
also coming from the point of view of someone who knows what they’re talking
about being victims for so many years of terrorism,” he added.
Gilon cited
several countries that have designated Hamas as a terror group
“I think that it’s
also time to officially designate Hamas as a terror organization also in India.
Most of the democracies, the EU, US, Canada, and Australia, I believe have
already done this, and I think it’s good,” he said.
The Israeli envoy
further said Israel has spoken with relevant authorities in Bharat and the two
countries are having dialogue on the issue.
Earlier, Bharat said
it sees the attack by Hamas on Israel as “a terrorist attack” and that it has
always advocated the resumption of direct negotiations towards establishing a
sovereign, independent and viable state of Palestine that lives side by side at
peace with Israel.
Replying to
questions during the weekly media briefing regarding the situation concerning
the Israel-Hamas war, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi
also said there is a universal obligation to observe international humanitarian
law and the need to fight terrorism.
“Designation of
terrorist organisation under Indian law is a legal matter. I would refer you to
the relevant authorities. I think we have been very clear that we see this as a
terrorist attack. On designation part (concerned) authorities are best placed to
respond to it,” Bagchi said answering queries about Hamas’ attack on Israel.
ANI
