Israel-Hamas War: India staying in middle to have a role in future on both sides, says Jordan envoy

Last week, India skipped the vote on the resolution which did not mention Hamas or the Israelis taken hostage during the Hamas attacks on October 7. The resolution, which was not binding, was carried with 120 votes in favour, 14 against, 45 abstentions.

“We understand very well that each country takes this position according to their interests. That’s India’s decision and we don’t interfere in that,” he said.

Jordan, he said, also recognises that India is getting involved in international issues very actively and can play some positive role in ending the war.

“As an emerging power in the world now, and after the initiatives it took like the G20 and Voice of Global South Summit, India can play a bigger role,” he said.

A day after Israel pounded the biggest refugee camp in Gaza, causing civilian casualties, and also escalating ground attacks, Kayed said that’s exactly what Israel wished to do – to displace and transfer people, and Jordan was completely opposed to it. In fact, all Arab countries were united in this, he said, adding that it was a red line for all of them.

Mohamed El Kayed
Jordan Ambassador to India

On October 23, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had dialled King Abdullah II of Jordan and discussed violence, terror and the loss of civilian lives.

“Exchanged views on the developments in the West Asia region. We share concerns regarding terrorism, violence and loss of civilian lives. Concerted efforts needed for early resolution of the security and humanitarian situation,” Modi had posted on X.

Kayed said that during his speech in Cairo, in the wake of the war, the King had spoken about this very clearly. “His Majesty had said that there is human suffering, and that should end. People are getting killed – including children, women and the elderly.

But, he said, the problem was not new. “We are talking about over 50-60 years of the Palestinian problems, so we are not new to the situation. There was some military action before between Gaza and Israel in 2014 and 2018,” he said.

The need of the hour, he said, was to effect a ceasefire and prevent the loss of more civilian lives.

Kayed said Jordan was very supportive of the two-state solution for the Palestinian problem. “We always say that solving the Palestinian problem is of top interest to the Jordanian people, as the Jordanians and Palestinians are intertwined,” he said.