Modi condemns civilian killings in West Asia; calls for talks, diplomacy
Narendra Modi on Friday condemned the civilian killings in the Israel-Hamas conflict, as he spoke about 'new challenges' in west Asia and emphasised on dialogue and diplomacy.
«We have emphasised on dialogue and diplomacy. We also condemn the deaths of civilians in the conflict between Israel and Hamas,» Modi said in his opening address of the second virtual Voice of Global South Summit on Friday.
Modi spoke on achievements of the G20 presidency, including progress on several initiatives unveiled at the first south summit in January.
He inaugurated Dakshin, a centre of excellence for Global South that will focus on development and knowledge sharing.
«During the G20 Summit, I had proposed to launch a weather and climate monitoring satellite for the Global South, on India's behalf. We are working rapidly on this,» he said.
For global progress, progress for everyone is necessary but we see new challenges emerging from incidents in west Asia," he said. Following his phone conversation with Palestinian National Authority president Mahmoud Abbas, India sent humanitarian assistance for the people of Palestine, he said.
«This is the time when countries of the Global South must talk in one voice for greater global good,» he said. India was among 145 nations that voted in favour of a UN resolution that condemned Israeli settlement activities in Palestinian Territory.
The US, Canada and Israel were among 7 countries who voted against, while 18 abstained.
India had backed Israel against Hamas' terror attack but has nuanced its approach by calling for upholding international humanitarian law and the need for a two-state solution.
In keeping with the theme of 'one earth, one family, one future' for India's G20 presidency, all
