Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held a productive meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and underscored India's support for a two-state solution and an early and durable resolution of the Israel-Palestine issue through dialogue and diplomacy.
Modi met Herzog on the sidelines of the COP28 World Climate Action Summit in Dubai.
The prime minister expressed his condolences on the loss of lives in the October 7 terror attacks and welcomed the release of hostages, External Affairs Ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi said on X.
Modi and Herzog exchanged views on the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in the region.
The prime minister reiterated the need for continued and safe delivery of humanitarian aid for the affected population, Bagchi said.
Modi emphasised India's support for a two-state solution and early and durable resolution of the Israel-Palestine issue through dialogue and diplomacy.
'Had a very productive meeting with President @Isaac_Herzog of Israel earlier today. Our talks covered a wide range of global and bilateral issues,' Modi tweeted.
'The two leaders exchanged views on the on-going Israel-Hamas conflict in the region. Prime Minister expressed his condolences on the loss of lives in the October 7 terror attacks and welcomed the release of hostages,' the Ministry of External Affairs said in a press release.
'The prime minister reiterated the need for continued and safe delivery of humanitarian aid for the affected population. He emphasised on India's support for a two-state solution and early and durable resolution of Israel-Palestine issue through dialogue and diplomacy,' the release said.
President Herzog congratulated prime minister on the success of India's G20 Presidency and welcomed the launch of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, it said.
'..at the COP28 conference, I met dozens of leaders from around the world,' President Herzog said.
'I spoke with them about how Hamas blatantly violates the ceasefire agreements and repeated again and again the demand to place the release of the hostages at the very top of the international community's agenda, alongside respect for the right of the State of Israel to defend itself,' Herzog said.
'The (Indian) prime minister expressed to the President his strong condemnation of the massacre and acts of terrorism committed by Hamas,' a communication from Herzog's spokesperson said.
Herzog called upon all the world leaders to join hands in the humanitarian effort to return all the hostages home 'swiftly and safely'.
He 'appealed to the prime minister of India to do all he could to promote the issue', the communication added.
Modi also discussed the Israel-Hamas conflict with United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
'I am always very happy to meet my brother HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Today's meeting during #COP28 has been very productive. Thanked him for the warm hospitality. Also discussed various issues aimed at deepening India-UAE friendship and making our planet more sustainable,' Modi posted on X.
The leaders reviewed bilateral ties and exchanged views on the Israel-Hamas conflict, Bagchi said on X.
Modi congratulated the UAE President for the successful hosting of the COP28 and also invited him to attend the Vibrant Gujarat Summit scheduled to be held in Gandhinagar in January.
He also thanked the UAE President for co-hosting the high-level event on the Green Climate Programme (GCP) at COP28.
The prime minister invited President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for the Vibrant Gujarat Summit, to be held in India next month, the External Affairs Ministry said.
Later, Modi also met Turkey President R T Erdogan, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, President of Guyana Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and the Swiss Confederation President Alain Berset.
The prime minister took to X to post: Happy to have met President @RTErdogan on the sidelines of the #COP28 Summit in Dubai.
'Excellent meeting with @SwedishPM Ulf Kristersson. We talked about deepening cooperation in futuristic sectors of development. We also discussed how to strengthen efforts to mitigate climate change,' he said in another post.
