India, France concerned at killings in Gaza
Ankara, Turkey - India and France have expressed concern about the massive loss of civilian lives in the ongoing Israeli war on the Gaza Strip, urging Tel Aviv to respect international humanitarian law and create conditions, including a humanitarian cease-fire, for aid to flow to the enclave.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed these views in a joint statement issued by the Foreign Ministry in New Delhi on Friday night.
Macron arrived in in Jaipur, in northwestern Rajasthan state, on Thursday for a two-day state visit, where he attended several events alongside Modi. On Friday, he was the chief guest at Republic Day in the capital New Delhi before departing late evening.
Macron arrived in India’s capital on Thursday for a twoday state visit, where he attended Republic Day as chief guest and several other events alongside Modi before departing late on Friday evening.
“Both leaders also called for an immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.…the two leaders reaffirmed that a political process leading to a twostate solution for the Israeli and Palestinian people is required for lasting peace and stability in the region,” the statement said.
They also expressed solidarity with the people of Israel, condemning the October 7 attack. Both leaders also expressed grave concern about the possibility of further spreading regional conflicts, including in the Red Sea, and ‘recalled the utmost importance of upholding freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and of respecting the international law of the sea’.
“They expressed deep concern over the war in Ukraine and its tragic humanitarian consequences,” it said.
During Macron’s visit, the two countries also agreed on a defence production roadmap and signed a memorandum of understanding between Newspace India Limited and France’s Arianespace to establish a longterm partnership on satellite launch missions, the Indian Foreign Ministry statement said.