External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar, currently on an official visit to Israel, issued a forceful condemnation on Tuesday of the deadly terror attack that struck a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, Australia. The minister underscored the shared policy of "zero tolerance" towards terrorism that binds India and Israel.
Strong Condemnation and Shared Resolve
Addressing the media alongside Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Moshe Sa'ar in Israel, Jaishankar began by expressing India's profound sorrow. "Let me first of all convey our very, very sincere, deep condolences at the loss of life due to the terror attack at Hanukkah celebrations in Bondi Beach. I want to say that we condemn it in the strongest possible terms," he stated. The attack occurred on Sunday when two assailants opened fire at the 'Hanukkah by the Sea' event, tragically killing at least 15 people and injuring 40 others.
Jaishankar explicitly connected the nations' stances, noting, "Where India and Israel are concerned, we are both countries that have a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism." He also acknowledged and appreciated Israel's consistent support for India's own fight against terrorism in all its forms.
Deepening a Strategic Partnership
The discussions during Jaishankar's two-day visit are centered on strengthening the strategic partnership between New Delhi and Jerusalem. The External Affairs Minister observed that this relationship has "really developed very significantly in the last decade." He characterized India and Israel as "very complementary partners" and stressed the importance of fully utilizing this potential for mutual benefit.
Beyond counter-terrorism, the dialogue also covered regional peace efforts. Jaishankar reiterated India's support for the Gaza peace plan, expressing hope that it would lead to a durable and lasting outcome for the region.
Context of High-Level Diplomacy
This high-level engagement sets the stage for further diplomatic exchanges. The visit comes amid preparations for a proposed trip to India by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The two premiers, Netanyahu and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recently held a telephone conversation, after which the Israeli leader indicated they would be "meeting very soon." Jaishankar's talks are seen as pivotal in laying the groundwork for this anticipated summit and advancing the multifaceted cooperation between the two nations.
The firm solidarity shown by India in the wake of the Sydney attack reinforces the shared security concerns that form a core pillar of the India-Israel relationship, even as both countries work to expand their collaboration across other strategic domains.
