As the Israel-Hamas conflict escalates, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar described the situation on Saturday (November 5) as "very complex," while strongly justifying India's recent decision to abstain on a UN General Assembly resolution calling for a humanitarian truce between the two sides. Jaishankar called Hamas's October 7 attacks on Israeli cities "terrorism," but he also reiterated India's long-standing support for a negotiated two-state solution to the Palestine conflict.
"I clearly conclude that it is a very complex situation with many possibilities that are not fully apparent -- possibilities that are not in a good way," he said at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit.
When asked if the current crisis will have an impact on I2U2 initiatives and the implementation of the ambitious India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), Jaishankar said it is too early to draw any "definitive or even semi-definitive conclusions," as reported by PTI.
"Certainly, unexpected problems, even of a serious nature, can occur, and we are witnessing one right now. But I don't believe that just because something has happened, you should immediately start rethinking and revising your larger goal and plan," he said, according to the report.
"I believe you should stick to your master plan. You are the one who does the work. You also respond to whatever else has happened out there side by side," he explained further.
The minister of external affairs also defended New Delhi's decision to abstain from the UN General Assembly resolution on the Hamas-Israel conflict.
"We have a very clear policy on terrorism. We have no doubt, and we have stated unequivocally, that what occurred on October 7 was terrorism. It's not just a government viewpoint," he explained.
"If you ask the average Indian, terrorism is an issue which is very close to people's hearts because very few countries or societies suffer as much as we have from terrorism," he said, according to PTI. "When further developments happened and Israelis moved on to Gaza, I think we also recognised as a matter of principle that whatever action is taken, international humanitarian law must be observed," he said further.
Last week, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution calling for an immediate, durable, and long-term humanitarian cease-fire between Israeli forces and Hamas in Gaza.
"When it comes to Palestine, we have repeatedly stated that the only solution that we see is a two-state solution. That is a viable independent Palestine state. That state can only be achieved through direct dialogue between Palestinians and Israelis," he explained.
"So you now have three sets of problems. From a policy standpoint, you cannot say I strongly believe in issue three and am willing to disregard issues one and two, or I believe two and will disregard one," he said.
Jaishankar On Canada Row:
In the same summit, Jaishankar on the diplomatic tensions with Canada said: "There is room for diplomacy, my hope is that we find a way." He made this statement during an interaction at the summit. He further said, "There are many countries there is freedom of speech and expression. But that cannot be a license to violent and intimidation or to propagate separatism and worse. the problem that we have faced, we have seen activities which have been justified in the name for freedom".
“I have a very simple smell test for every country in the world. If you think that's right, would you like that to be done to you? And mostly I don't get an answer”, the minister added.
Tensions between India and Canada flared up in September after Ottawa expelled a senior Indian diplomat in connection with its investigation into the June killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijja.
Days after Trudeau's allegations, India announced a temporary suspension of visa issuance to Canadian citizens and requested that Ottawa reduce its diplomatic presence in the country to ensure parity.
Canada has already removed 41 diplomats and their families from India. Jaishankar explained India's overall proposition, which he claimed could also apply to Canada.
"Many countries, including India, have freedom of speech and expression." "However, this cannot be used to justify violence and intimidation, or to spread separatism, extremism, and worse," he said.