“What happened against Israel on Oct 7 was terrorism” : EAM Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday condemned the October 7th attack on Israel as an act of terrorism, asserting that a response is justified when any country falls victim to terrorism. Speaking at an event titled ‘Vishwabandhu Bharat’ in Nashik, Jaishankar made his stance clear.

“What happened against Israel on October 7th was terrorism, there is no question of second thought. If there is terrorism against any country or if any country becomes the victim of terrorism, then it’s natural that a response will be there,” Jaishankar stated.

The conflict in Gaza intensified following the Hamas terror attack on October 7, which resulted in over 1,200 deaths, the taking of around 250 hostages, and reports of sexual assaults against civilians. In retaliation, Israel launched a robust counteroffensive targeting Hamas units in the Gaza Strip.

Jaishankar also criticized the opposition for their silence on the Israel-Hamas war, suggesting that political calculations were influencing their lack of commentary. “I am aware that there are some parties that are refraining to speak as they have some other calculation. They think that their vote bank calculation will be disrupted,” he remarked.

Additionally, Jaishankar emphasized the importance of minimizing civilian casualties and advocated for a long-term resolution to the Palestinian issue. “But we also need to think about the civilians, to ensure that innocent lives are not lost. And in the long term, this Palestinian issue, Palestinians need to find a solution for their country,” he said.

Reiterating India’s balanced stance, he noted, “So whenever such situations arise, I believe that if we keep our point forward with fairness and directness, people will understand that our stance is genuine. As Modi says, we are on the side of peace, we are on the side of stability.”

India has consistently supported a two-state solution, envisioning Palestine as a sovereign, independent, and viable state within secure borders, coexisting peacefully with Israel. India also supports Palestine’s full membership in the UN, believing that direct negotiations are essential for lasting peace in the region.