India on Thursday welcomed the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas and reaffirmed its call for a return to dialogue and diplomacy.
The deal, announced by U.S. President Joe Biden and Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani on Wednesday, establishes a 42-day truce and a hostage release, set to begin on January 19. This ceasefire follows over 460 days of conflict that has severely impacted Gaza.
“We welcome the agreement for the release of hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza,” stated India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
“We hope this leads to the safe and sustained delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza’s people. India has consistently advocated for the release of all hostages, a ceasefire, and a return to dialogue and diplomacy,” the statement added.
The conflict began after Hamas launched deadly attacks on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing nearly 1,200 people. In response, Israel’s military actions in Gaza have resulted in the deaths of over 46,000 Palestinians.
Qatar’s prime minister noted that Israel and Hamas are still finalizing logistical details of the truce. Israel’s prime minister’s office also acknowledged that certain aspects of the deal remain unresolved, and it still requires approval from the Israeli cabinet.
During the ceasefire’s initial six weeks, there will be a limited prisoner exchange, partial Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza, and increased humanitarian aid to the region. Reports indicate that 33 Israeli hostages taken on October 7 will be released in exchange for numerous Palestinian prisoners.
Approximately 100 Israeli hostages are still believed to be in Gaza, though some are presumed dead.
Initially, India expressed strong support for Israel following the Hamas attacks, consistent with its “zero tolerance” policy on terrorism. However, India later adopted a more balanced stance due to concerns raised by its Arab partners.
India maintains close strategic ties with Israel, while its relationships with Arab nations are crucial for energy security and defense cooperation. Additionally, India is concerned about the conflict’s escalation, given that nearly nine million Indians reside in West Asia, with around six million in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
As the conflict continued, India consistently urged Israel to consider humanitarian concerns, advocating for the free flow of aid to Gaza and a return to diplomacy focused on achieving a two-state solution.
