Less than a week after India supported a United Nations resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Tuesday that he spoke with his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu. During their “productive exchange,” they discussed India’s support for the early restoration of peace in the region. Additionally, the leaders addressed concerns about the safety of maritime business in the region, particularly in the wake of the Israel-Hamas conflict. In recent weeks, attacks on vessels in the Red Sea shipping route have raised fears of disruptions to international commerce.
According to the Gaza health ministry, Israeli attacks since October 7 have resulted in the deaths of at least 19,600 people, mostly women and children. Hamas initiated a multi-pronged attack on Israel, leading to the killing of around 1,200 civilians, with approximately 240 people taken hostage.
Concerns about maritime security have escalated as multiple vessels are anchored in the Red Sea, and some have disabled tracking systems in response to attacks by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis on the crucial East-West trade route. The Red Sea, connected to the Mediterranean by the Suez Canal, is a vital shipping route, with about 12% of world shipping passing through, including trade to India.
In response to Houthi attacks, the U.S. Defense Secretary, Lloyd Austin, announced the creation of an international operation to safeguard commerce in the Red Sea. The Houthis, who targeted commercial shipping vessels in the southern Red Sea on Monday, claimed to be pressuring Israel over its conflict with Palestinian Hamas militants in Gaza.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s office confirmed the discussion between Modi and Netanyahu, emphasizing the importance of securing freedom of navigation in the Bab-el-Mandeb, a strategic strait threatened by Houthi aggression instigated by Iran.
Last week, India supported a United Nations General Assembly resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. The resolution received backing from 153 countries, while 10, including the U.S., Israel, and Austria, opposed it, and 23, including Germany, Argentina, and Ukraine, abstained.
PM Modi was among the first world leaders to condemn the October 7 attack on Israel, expressing strong support for the country. As the conflict continued, India seems to be adjusting its approach, considering its nuanced stance on Palestine, a two-state solution, and its broader connections in the Middle East.
