India cautions Israel about civilian plight amid growing tensions with Iran
Jaishankar says diplomacy can play a key role in easing tensions: “If there are things to be said and passed on and back, those are contributions we can make.”
Hours before Iran fired a barrage of missiles at Israel, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar gently cautioned Tel Aviv to be mindful of civilian suffering in Gaza as it avenges the killings by the Hamas.
"We regard October 7 as a terrorist attack. We understand that Israel needed to respond,” the minister told the Carnegie Endowment Centre for International Peace in Washington.
Be mindful of civilian casualties
“But we also believe that any response by any country has to take into account international humanitarian law and that it must be careful about any damage or implications for civilian populations," he said.
“It is important to have some kind of international humanitarian effort.”
India is worried
Jaishankar said India was concerned at the possibility of a broadening of the conflict.
“Not just what happened in Lebanon but also to the Houthis and the Red Sea, and to anything that happens between Iran and Israel.”
Hours after the interaction, Iran fired at least 180 missiles into Israel, triggering a stern warning from Tel Aviv that Tehran would pay a price for its belligerence.
Role of diplomacy
At the same time, Jaishankar said diplomacy could play a key role in softening the tensions in the region.
"Don't underestimate the importance of communication in difficult times. If there are things to be said and passed on and back, I think those are all contributions that we can make, and we do...," he said.