In this episode, Dr Happymon Jacob interviews Ambassador Talmiz Ahmad (Retired Indian diplomat and author) and Ambassador Navtej Sarna (Retired Indian diplomat and India’s former ambassador to Israel and the US) about the conflict between Israel and Palestinians. In a thorough discussion, the ambassadors outline the contours of the current conflict, its immediate antecedents and causes, as well as possible implications for peace and stability in the region.
Ambassador Talmiz Ahmad addresses the impasse in Israeli domestic politics and the implications of the recent events for PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s political fortunes. Ambassador Sarna discusses the international reaction to the conflict and explains President Biden’s approach towards the conflict. He also discusses the nuances of India’s response to the crisis in the open discussion at the UNSC and highlights the minute shifts in India’s policy towards peace in the region. In addition, Hamas, as a political entity, is discussed along with the intricacies of Palestinian politics. Both offer meaningful insights into the peace process going forward, discussing the feasibility of a two-state solution and much more.