Expressing fear over lack of trust and instability in West Asia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told G20 leaders on Wednesday that terrorism is unacceptable and welcomed the announcement of the hostages’ release.
In his opening remarks at the virtual summit of G20 leaders, Modi said terrorism is “unacceptable” and said civilian deaths, wherever they occur, are reprehensible.
In recent months, new demanding situations have emerged and the scenario of lack of trust and instability in West Asia is a cause for concern, he said at the virtual assembly attended by leaders such as the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, among others.
“Our approach shows that we are susceptible to all problems and that we are united in solving them. We know that terrorism is unacceptable to us. The killing of civilians, wherever it occurs, is reprehensible. We welcome the news of the release of the hostages. “We hope that all the hostages will be released soon,” Modi said.
It is imperative that humanitarian aid arrives on time and continuously.
It is to ensure that the war between Israel and Hamas does not take the form of a regional conflict, Modi said.
Addressing the G20 leaders, he said: “When Indonesian President Joko Widodo handed me the ceremonial gavel in November last year, I declared that we would make the G20 an inclusive, ambitious, action-oriented and decisive G20. Together we have achieved it. “Together, we have taken the G20 to new heights, he said.
“In this global landscape of beliefs and challenges, it is this belief that unites us. Over the past year, we have expressed our confidence in One Earth, One Family and One Future. Moving away from controversies, we have worked with unity and cooperation,” Modi said.
“I will never remember that moment in Delhi when we all welcomed the African Union to the G20. This message of inclusion from the G20 to the world is unprecedented.
“It is a source of pride for India that, under your presidency, Africa has been so explicit. Over the past year at the G20, the voice of the South has also been heard,” Modi said.
The Prime Minister said that the G20 has greater confidence in multilateralism and that leadership has been given to governance reforms.
The assembly is expected to focus on a multitude of issues, but all eyes are on a debate similar to the scenario in Gaza. It should be noted that the assembly takes a position on the day that the Israeli cabinet approved a transitional ceasefire with Hamas. group, which is expected to end fighting in the six-week war.
The ceasefire will facilitate the release of dozens of hostages captured during Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel. The deal will also see the release of dozens of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel and increased humanitarian access to Gaza, according to media reports.
Israel carried out a major military operation in Gaza following unprecedented multifaceted attacks on Israeli cities by Hamas militants on October 7.
Hamas has killed about 1,400 more people in Israel and kidnapped more than 220. Some 11,500 more people have been killed in Gaza during the Israeli offensive, according to the Hamas-led government in Gaza.
Criticism is growing against Israel for the deaths of a gigantic number of civilians, including women and children, in Gaza by its military operations.
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