In the midst of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in a productive conversation with his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu. The discussion, revealed by PM Modi on social media, focused on various aspects of the conflict, including concerns about the safety of maritime traffic.
Taking to X, previously known as Twitter, PM Modi conveyed his apprehensions to Netanyahu regarding the safety of maritime traffic. He underscored India's consistent stance favoring the early restoration of peace and stability in the region, coupled with a commitment to providing ongoing humanitarian assistance to those affected by the conflict.
Simultaneously, an Israeli statement disclosed that the leaders deliberated on the imperative need to shield shipping and the global economy from potential attacks by Iranian-aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen.
"The two leaders spoke about the importance of safeguarding free shipping in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, threatened by the Houthis at the behest of Iran. They emphasized the global interest in preventing harm to international trade, a concern shared by both Israel and India," reported the Israeli Prime Minister's Office, as cited by Times of Israel.
According to Al Jazeera, the Iran-backed Houthis have conducted numerous attacks on vessels in the Red Sea in recent weeks, explicitly targeting ships with links to Israel. The attacks are in protest against Israel's military offensive in Gaza, with the group warning against navigation in the area. These attacks have raised significant concerns about potential disruptions to the passage of oil, grain, and other goods along this crucial global trade route.
The leaders also discussed plans to advance a proposal aimed at bringing laborers from India to Israel. This proposal gains relevance in light of Israel experiencing a departure of Thai and other foreign workers during the Gaza war that commenced on October 7, as reported by Reuters.
The conflict, initiated by Israel against Hamas, the ruling authority in Gaza, began in October of this year after Hamas invaded southern Israel. The invasion resulted in the loss of more than 1,200 lives and the taking of approximately 240 hostages.
Since the commencement of the war, the Gaza Strip has witnessed a significant toll, with at least 19,667 Palestinians losing their lives in the Israel-Hamas conflict as of October 7, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The repercussions of this ongoing conflict extend beyond the immediate geopolitical landscape, impacting global concerns such as maritime safety, international trade, and labor migration.