Congress targets Modi’s visit to Israel, calls meeting with Netanyahu as “related to ethnic questions”

5

Congress’s tough stance on Israel trip

New Delhi. The Congress party has targeted the central government for harsh criticism over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Israel. The party says that at a time when Israeli leadership is being questioned internationally, this visit of the Prime Minister gives rise to many moral issues. Congress leaders have also expressed disagreement over the Prime Minister’s proposed meeting with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu and demanded a clear stand on the situation in Gaza.

Jairam Ramesh’s steady stance

Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh, while drawing attention to India’s past policy, said that India’s stance on the Palestinian issue has always been balanced and principle-based, but at present it seems to be different from tradition. He alleged that India should show more clarity on issues like the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the expansion of settlements in the West Bank.

Reminding India’s historical responsibility, Ramesh referred to former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s 1960 visit to Gaza and the subsequent decisions taken in support of Palestine. He pointed out that India gave formal recognition to Palestine in 1988, thereby presenting an independent policy on the global stage.

Priyanka Gandhi’s request to raise Gaza issue

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra expressed hope that the Prime Minister would mention the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip in the Israeli Parliament, the Knesset, during his visit and express his commitment to justice for innocent civilians.

He said that India has a historical responsibility to continue protecting the values ​​of peace, justice and humanity at the international level.

Government’s focus: on bilateral cooperation

This visit of Prime Minister Modi is being done with the aim of further strengthening the defence, technology and trade cooperation between India and Israel. During Modi’s first visit to Israel in 2017, relations between the two countries were elevated to the status of “strategic partnership”, which has resulted in increased cooperation in many areas.

clash of political and diplomatic debates

This issue has once again intensified the political debate on India’s West Asia policy. One side is talking about giving priority to strategic partnership, while the other side is demanding that humanitarian and historical perspectives should also be kept in mind.