• Source:PTI
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External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Saturday attended the 14th East Asia Summit (EAS) foreign ministers meeting in Laos’s capital Vientiane and emphasised that India has called for de-escalation and restraint in war-torn Gaza while maintaining the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, Jaishankar said, "Call for de-escalation and restraint in Gaza. India continues to extend humanitarian assistance to the people of Palestine. Attacks against commercial vessels in the Red Sea are concerning. India is independently contributing to ensuring the safety and security of maritime shipping.”

During several occasions, India has called for a two-state solution for Gaza and called for de-escalation and restraint in Gaza on a humanitarian basis. Earlier on July 15, India had contributed USD 2.5 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) to support the agency's core programmes and services. This was the first instalment of a total of USD 5 million that India donates annually.

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On the conflict in Ukraine, Jaishankar highlighted the importance of diplomacy and dialogue. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently engaged (with) President Vladimir Putin and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. India stands ready to contribute in any manner possible,” he wrote on X.

Earlier in June this year, PM Modi met Zelenskyy on then sidelines of the G7 Summit in Italy. He later met President Putin in Moscow during his official visit. “EAS is crucial in bringing us together at a time when differences are sharp and interests are diverse. India will always stand firm in its commitment to the EAS process,” Jaishankar concluded.

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