Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Israeli President Issac Herzog on the sidelines of the World Climate Action Summit at the ongoing United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, a statement from the Indian foreign ministry said.
Arindam Bagchi, the Indian foreign ministry spokesman, stated that the parties exchanged views on the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
He said that the Indian leader expressed his condolences for the civilian deaths in the attacks by Hamas on 7 October.
Modi also welcomed the release of hostages by Hamas since last week.
The Indian Prime Minister underlined India’s “support for a two-state solution” during the meeting, he said.
Modi also called for an “early and durable resolution of the Israel-Palestine issue through dialogue and diplomacy”.
Further, the Indian leader stressed the importance of "continued and safe delivery of humanitarian aid for the affected population" in Gaza.
This is the first in-person meeting between the leaderships of Israel and India since hostilities broke out in the Gaza Strip in the wake of Hamas attack against Israel last month.
The meeting in Dubai took place hours after Israel Defence Forces (IDF) announced that they had resumed military operations in Gaza, marking the end of a Qatar-brokered humanitarian ceasefire that had been in place since 24 November.
“Hamas violated the operational pause, and in addition, fired toward Israeli territory. The IDF has resumed combat against the Hamas terrorist organization in Gaza,” the IDF said in a statement on Friday.
The Gaza Health Ministry said that 54 Palestinians have already died since the ceasefire expired. Over 14,000 Palestinians were left dead in IDF’s retaliatory operations between 7 October and last week.
Modi Holds Talks With Arab Leaders
The Indian Prime Minister also held brief conversations with the UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on the margins of the COP28 event, according to the Indian foreign ministry.
Modi said that his talks with the Jordanian King were "enriching and reflective of our nations" deep-rooted friendship”.
The Indian leader described his talks with Bahrain’s King as productive.