Jaishankar speaks with Israel’s Gideon Sa’ar amid fresh efforts for ceasefire | Latest News India

NEW DELHI: Exterior affairs minister S Jaishankar and his Israeli counterpart Gideon Sa’ar on Wednesday mentioned developments in West Asia towards the backdrop of contemporary efforts to finalise a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

Throughout their telephone dialog, the 2 overseas ministers additionally centered on methods to strengthen bilateral relations.

“Happy to talk to FM @gidonsaar of Israel at this time. Respect his briefing on the continued developments within the area,” Jaishankar mentioned on X.

“Additionally mentioned our bilateral relations and efforts to strengthen them. Stay up for assembly in individual.”

Sa’ar, in a put up on X, described India as a “large nation, probably the most necessary on this planet, and pleasant to Israel”. He added, “We agreed to fulfill quickly and work collectively to strengthen our bilateral relations.”

India has maintained a balanced place on the evolving state of affairs in West Asia given its shut and strategic ties with each Israel and Arab states. Whereas condemning the fear assaults and hostage-taking by Hamas in October final yr, India urged Israel to be conscious of humanitarian concerns in its response. New Delhi has additionally referred to as for a return to dialogue and diplomacy aimed toward discovering a two-state resolution.

The dialog between Jaishankar and Sa’ar got here towards the backdrop of efforts in Cairo by the US and Arab mediators to conclude an settlement between Israel and Hamas to halt the 14-month conflict within the Gaza Strip.

A Palestinian official near the negotiations instructed Reuters on Wednesday that mediators had narrowed gaps on a lot of the settlement’s clauses. He mentioned Israel had launched situations which Hamas rejected.

The talks in Cairo are aimed toward concluding an settlement on a ceasefire and the discharge of hostages held by Hamas in return for Palestinian prisoners from Israel.