New Delhi: Days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the developments in West Asia with Israel and Palestine leaders, he spoke to Jordan’s King Abdullah regarding the same on Monday, October 23. Both Modi and King Abdullah called for intensive efforts towards an “early resolution” of the crisis.
The region plunged into violence after Hamas’s terror attack on Israel on October 7 and Israeli counter-strikes on Gaza have led to a death toll of over 5,000 lives, till now.
Modi had first spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reiterate “solidarity” with the Israelis on October 10.
Modi engaged in a conversation with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on October 19, two days after the explosion at Gaza City’s al-Ahli Hospital had incited outrage in the Arab world. During their discussion, Modi subtly adjusted India’s position by reaffirming its longstanding support for the two-state solution.
The third regional leader that Modi spoke with on Monday (October 23) was Jordan’s King Abdullah.
Spoke with His Majesty @KingAbdullahII of Jordan. Exchanged views on the developments in the West Asia region. We share concerns regarding terrorism, violence and loss of civilian lives. Concerted efforts needed for early resolution of the security and humanitarian situation.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 23, 2023
As per his tweet, the Indian Prime Minister for the first time talked about an end to the crisis by referring to “early resolution of the security and humanitarian situation”.
Unlike most countries in the global south, India has refrained from explicitly advocating for a ceasefire up to this point. However, the mention of an “early resolution” appeared to signify a shift towards that position.
The Jordanian government’s readout of the talks said that two leaders “discussed means to stop the deteriorating situation in Gaza”.
The press note also said that the discussions covered the “need to step up international efforts to end the war on Gaza, protect civilians and hospitals, and guarantee the sustained delivery of medical and relief aid into the strip”.
“His Majesty warned of the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and the repercussions of what is happening in the strip on the region and the world,” said the statement.
Jordan has a direct interest in the Israel-Palestine issue, as it has custodianship of Islamic holy sites in Jerusalem, including the Al-Aqsa mosque. It has played host to around three million Palestinian refugees and nearly half of its population is of Palestinian descent. Jordan has the longest border with Israel and West Bank.
After Egypt, Jordan was the second Arab country to sign a peace treaty with Israel.
At a peace summit held in Cairo on Saturday (October 21), King Abdullah cautioned against any measure to displace Palestinians from Gaza. “This is a war crime according to international law, and a red line for all of us,” he said.
The Jordanian leader had also asked the international community to criticise Israel for the targeting of civilian infrastructure in Gaza and the prohibition on the supply of fuel, food, water, and electricity.