In rare flak for Bibi, PM Modi condemns violation of Qatar's sovereignty

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed ‘deep concerns’ a day after Israel struck the political office of Hamas in Qatar.

Modi had a phone call with Amir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, on Wednesday. He condemned the violation of the sovereignty of the State of Qatar, thus making a rare criticism of an action by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government in Israel. He called for the resolution of all issues through dialogue and diplomacy.

At least five representatives of Hamas were killed when Israel carried out an air strike on the political office of the Sunni Islamist Palestinian nationalist militia in a residential compound in Doha on Tuesday. Hamas claimed that its negotiators were in Doha to discuss the latest US proposal for a ceasefire between itself and the Israeli Defence Force in the Gaza Strip. The negotiators, however, survived the attack.

Hamas has been hosting a political office in Doha since 2012.

Qatar, an ally of the United States, condemned the attack carried out by Israel, calling it a “flagrant violation of international law”.

The Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi on Tuesday stated that India was deeply concerned by the Israeli strike in the capital of Qatar and its impact on the security situation in the region.

During his phone call with Sheikh Tamim on Wednesday, Modi appreciated the role being played by Qatar in promoting regional peace and stability, including its mediation efforts in Gaza to achieve a ceasefire and the release of all hostages.

“India condemns the violation of the sovereignty of the brotherly State of Qatar,” Modi posted on X after speaking to Sheikh Tamim, making a rare and strong condemnation of the latest action by Israel.

New Delhi has been calling for a negotiated two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine issue, leading to the establishment of a sovereign, independent, and viable State of Palestine living within secure and recognised borders, side-by-side in peace with Israel, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

After the BJP’s ascent to power in 2014, with India-Israel ties expanding, New Delhi, however, stopped supporting the demand for East Jerusalem to be the capital of the future state of Palestine.

Modi reiterated New Delhi’s support for the resolution of all issues through dialogue and diplomacy and the need to avoid escalation. He highlighted that India stood firmly in support of peace and stability in the region, and against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.