Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for unity among countries of the Global South on the ongoing conflict between the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and Palestinian movement Hamas, as he delivered his keynote remarks at the second Voice of Global South Summit organized by Indian G20 presidency in virtual mode on Friday.
“… We are all seeing new challenges emerging from the developments in West Asia. India has condemned the heinous terror attack in Israel on 7 October. Along with restraint, we have also emphasised dialogue and diplomacy,” the Indian Prime Minister told the summit attended by leaders and high-level representatives from nearly 125 developing states.
The summit has been organised just days before India concludes its year-long G20 presidency.
Modi underlined that New Delhi had “strongly condemned” the death of civilians on both sides during the ongoing hostilities.
The Indian leader noted that he had spoken to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on the situation in Gaza last month and New Delhi had even dispatched humanitarian aid meant for civilians in Gaza.
“This is the time when the countries of the Global South should speak in one voice for the greater global good,” asserted the Indian Prime Minister.
Modi pointed to India’s G20 motto of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’, adding that all the nations should follow a “5C” approach—consultation, cooperation, communication, creativity and capacity-building.
How Has the Global South Reacted to the War in Gaza?
Israel has so far defied calls by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to implement a ceasefire in Gaza, as the Tel Aviv’s retaliation to Hamas attack last month has run into its second month.
An overwhelming majority of developing nations voted in support of a ceasefire on a Jordan-sponsored resolution at the UN General Assembly on 27 October.
On 9 November, another UN General Assembly resolution condemning Israeli settlements in ‘Occupied Palestinian territories’ found the support of 145 nations, including India.