Qamar Agha, Mufti Manzoor Ahmed Ziyaee, Dr Waiel Awwad, , and Nasseruddin Chishti
New Delhi
Many Indians and analysts who specialize in the Middle East Region’s affairs have also hailed NSA Ajit Doval’s meeting with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem as a move in the right step for peace.
Qamar Agha, the Delhi-based journalist who writes on strategic and international affairs said, “It is a positive step; at least NSA Ajit Doval is trying to make peace in the region. India is concerned about the situation in the region. Some 75 lakh Indians live in the Persian Gulf region and 70 percent of India’s oil requirements are met from that region.”
India has friendly relations with both Arab nations and Israel. PM Modi had advised Putin it is not the era of war. That is the line of India’s diplomacy that Doval is also pursuing, he said.
India is also worried about the plight of Palestinians. Doval is known for his skill in negotiations but this is a tough mission. However, his visit will certainly exert pressure on Israel to resolve the conflict.
It would be nice if the NSA could also visit Egypt, Jordan, and Qatar. “India is in a better situation to negotiate a peace deal. India has a Palestinian embassy in New Delhi. We give scholarships and training to Palestinian students. NSA Doval’s efforts would be to bring all this together and propose a peace plan.”
He said that Doval’s first visit would be to understand the situation and then things would crystalize in the subsequent visits. “Time is running out; Ramzan has already begun and Netanyahu has threatened another military push.”
Dr Waiel Awwad, the Delhi-based senior journalist who specializes in West Asian affairs, said, Israel is losing moral ground to continue its war. “India is a champion of freedom and democracy. The war is taking a toll on Palestinians and India cannot stay silent. India wants to understand the situation in the region. NSA’s visit should be seen in this perspective.”
India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Israel’s Prime
Syed Naseeruddin Chishti, the chairman of the All India Sufi Sajjadanshin Council and successor of the spiritual head of Ajmer Dargah and religious scholar Mufti Manzoor Ahmed Ziyaee have described the meeting between NSA Ajit Doval and the Israeli Prime Minister Ajit Doval as a big step towards a ceasefire in Gaza.
Speaking with Awaz-the Voice, Mufti Manzoor Ahmad Ziyaee described the meeting between NSA Ajit Doval and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as important and said that India’s foreign policy is based on compassion. “Our country has always come forward to help the distressed and downtrodden people of the world. The meeting between NSA Ajit Doval and the Israeli Prime Minister should be seen in this background. A ceasefire is needed in Gaza and even more so during Ramadan.”
He said the NSA’s action is commendable as he had also sought Israel’s nod for India’s humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Syed Nasiruddin Chishti said that the effort of NSA Ajit Doval is commendable. “India has been trying to restore peace in the world. Now there is an initiative to restore peace in Gaza,” he said.
He said that the situation in Gaza is not good. Innocent children and citizens are dying, and in such a situation efforts to restore peace are essential, especially, during the holy month of Ramadan. There should be a ceasefire in this month.”
He said India was working on the premise that any problem could be solved through dialogue and therefore Doval is making an effort to resolve the crisis due to Israel’s war against Hamas.
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The restoration of peace is part of India’s policy. If there is unrest in any region of the world, India is at the forefront of efforts to establish peace. In such a situation, the ceasefire efforts in Gaza will hopefully be successful.