India must not be seen endorsing Gaza genocide: Anand Sharma on PM’s Israel visit
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New Delhi: Congress leader Anand Sharma on Thursday criticised the government over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel, saying India should not be perceived as endorsing a regime that has “perpetrated genocide in Gaza” and forced starvation on thousands of Palestinian civilians.
In a series of posts on X, the former Union minister said the Prime Minister’s visit to Israel had raised serious concerns among India’s traditional partners in the region and countries of the Global South.
Invoking Mahatma Gandhi, whom he described as the Father of the Nation, Sharma said India has historically commanded universal respect for its commitment to humanity, justice and equality. He stressed that India has consistently opposed terrorism and violence in all forms.
“We had unequivocally condemned the October 7 Hamas attack and the brutal killing of innocent Israeli civilians,” Sharma said.
“India should not therefore be seen as endorsing a regime in Israel that has perpetrated genocide in Gaza and forced starvation on thousands of helpless Palestinian civilians, especially children, women and the elderly, denounced by the UN as a crime against humanity,” he added.
Sharma asserted that India must firmly uphold its stated position supporting the establishment of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine within secure and defined boundaries.
“As BRICS Chair, it is important for India to retain its credibility as a strong voice of the Global South, commanding both respect and trust,” he said.
His remarks came on the second day of Modi’s visit to Israel.
Addressing the Knesset on Wednesday, Modi described the Gaza Peace Initiative as a pathway towards “just and durable peace” in the region. He conveyed solidarity with Israel, stating that “terrorism anywhere threatens peace everywhere”.
“I also carry with me the deepest condolences of the people of India for every life lost and for every family whose world was shattered in the barbaric terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023. India stands with Israel, firmly, with full conviction, in this moment and beyond. No cause can justify the murder of civilians. Nothing can justify terrorism,” Modi said.
(With PTI inputs)