At a joint press conference with his Italian counterpart, Antonio Tajani, in Rome during his two-day visit to Italy, Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S Jaishankar reiterated India’s support for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine issue.
The EAM’s visit from 31 October - 1 November started with a Senate interaction on the deepening partnership between the two countries.
India’s Stand on Palestine
In the joint press conference, Jaishankar said, “India has a very clear position when it comes to terrorism. We have an equally clear position regarding the rights and aspirations of Palestinians and the need for a two-state solution.”
Began the Italy visit with a Senate interaction on our deepening partnership. Thank Sen. Giulio Terzi & Sen. Roberto Menia for co-chairing.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) November 2, 2023
Appreciated the warm sentiments for India across party lines. pic.twitter.com/5h0o7emd4a
Jaishankar underlined that India believes a solution can only be attained with a “direct dialogue.”
“Like Italy, India is also involved in providing relief supplies” to Gaza, the EAM added, reiterating India’s stance that it is necessary that “international humanitarian law is observed.”
In his Senate address, Jaishankar called the 7 October attack by Hamas on Israel, “a big act of terrorism” and said that the subsequent happenings have taken the entire region to a different direction.
During the press conference, Tajani said that Hamas questioned the existence of the State of Israel, which is unacceptable for Italy.
Further, echoing India’s views, he called Hamas a terror organisation, but highlighted that the Palestinian people have the right to a state.
Additionally, Tajani noted that Indian and Italian peacekeepers are working in the region between Israel and Lebanon as a part of the UN peacekeeping operations, and said there is a need to avoid an escalation in the region.
Rules-Based International Order
In his address to the Senate, Jaishankar said that India’s tie with Italy is a key relationship for the country, and both countries believe in a rules-based order.
He mentioned that Italy is India’s fourth largest trading partner in the EU and Italian companies have made investments to the tune of $6.2 billion in India.
Jaishankar also welcomed the opening of a new Italian consulate in Bengaluru and the beginning of direct flights between the two countries last year.
The EAM further stated that India and Italy recently renewed their defence agreement this year.
Additionally, he hailed the naval cooperation between the two countries and appreciated the presence of the Indian diaspora in Italy.
MoU on Cultural Exchange, Migration
In his bilateral meeting with Tajani, who is also the Deputy PM of Italy, Jaishankar discussed the deepening strategic partnership between New Delhi and Rome.
Both ministers decided that the two countries should explore the potential in agro-tech, innovation, space, defence, and the digital domain.
They spoke in detail about the situation in West Asia, the conflict in Ukraine, and the Indo-Pacific landscape, and Jaishankar also appreciated Italy’s support for Indian initiatives and the G20 Presidency.
Rome, Italy: EAM Dr S Jaishankar says, "Italy is historically among our oldest links with Europe. In recent years, Italy has also played a very, made a very major contribution to strengthening, cooperation with the European Union, as a whole. We have been in the midst of… pic.twitter.com/aGseQEc16K
— Economic Times (@EconomicTimes) November 2, 2023
At the end of the talks, the two parties signed the Mobility and Migration Partnership Agreement and the Cultural Exchange Program Agreement.
Defence and Security Partnership
During the visit, Jaishankar also met Guido Crosetto, the Italian Minister for Defence, and discussed taking forward the renewed defence and security partnership.
In the meeting, the EAM appreciated Crosetto’s assessments and valued his suggestions for the defence industry cooperation between the two countries.