India and Israel Gaza Tension
Source : Indian Express
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Why in News ?

Escalating tensions between Gaza and Israel India on Sunday urged both sides to show extreme restraint and refrain from attempts to unilaterally change the existing status-quo, underlining that immediate de-escalation is the need of the hour.

Key Facts

• UN Security Council held an open meeting on the situation in the Middle East during which UN termed the tensions as the most serious escalation in Gaza and Israel in years.
• India’s Stand
  • India’s strong support to the just Palestinian cause
  • Its unwavering commitment to the two-State solution
  • Also stressing India’s strong condemnation of all acts of violence, provocation, incitement and destruction.
  • The absence of direct and meaningful negotiations between the parties is widening the trust deficit between the parties.
  • Every effort should be made to create conducive conditions for resumption of talks between Israel and Palestine.

India Palestine Relation

• India was the first non-Arab country to contemporaneously recognize the Palestine Liberation Organisation’s authority.
• India recognized Palestine’s statehood following declaration on 18 November 1988.
• At the Washington Donors Conference in October, 1995, India pledged US$1 million for assistance to the Palestinian people.
• There was a strengthening of co-operation in the field of trade, culture and information since 1997.

India Israel Relation

• The two countries have an extensive economic, military, and strategic relationship.
• India is the largest buyer of Israeli military equipment and Israel is the second-largest defence supplier to India after Russia.
• As of 2014, India is the third-largest Asian trade partner of Israel.
• The two countries have also signed a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement.
• India participated in the Blue Flag exercise in Uvda Air Force Base in southern Israel for the first time in 2017.

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