PM Modi dials Benjamin Netanyahu, says terror has no place in world

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday spoke with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu about the recent developments in West Asia and asserted that terrorism had no place in the world.

In a telephonic conversation, PM Modi expressed India’s commitment to supporting efforts for early restoration of peace and stability.

“Spoke to Prime Minister @netanyahu about recent developments in West Asia. Terrorism has no place in our world. It is crucial to prevent regional escalation and ensure the safe release of all hostages. India is committed to supporting efforts for an early restoration of peace and stability,” Modi said on X.

The Modi-Netanyahu conversation comes amid escalation of hostilities in West Asia. While PM Modi did not mention any specific incident, Israeli strikes in Lebanon last week killed seven high-ranking commanders and officials of the Hezbollah militant group, including the group’s leader Hassan Nasrallah.

Hezbollah had been firing rockets and missiles into northern Israel after Hamas’ October 7 attack from Gaza into Israel sparked a war there. In October last year, Israel launched a counter-offensive against Hamas after hundreds of Hamas terrorists burst into Israeli borders, killing over 1,200 people and taking over 250 hostages, out of which 100 continue to be in captivity.

The Israeli PM, meanwhile, addressed the people of Iran in a new video, saying that the Iranian regime “plunges our region deeper into darkness and deeper into war”.

“There is nowhere in the Middle East, Israel cannot reach. There is nowhere, we will not go to protect our people and protect our country,” said Netanyahu in the video he posted on X.

Conversation amid rise in hostilities

The Modi-Netanyahu conversation comes amid escalation of hostilities in West Asia. “It is crucial to prevent regional escalation and ensure the safe release of all hostages,” the PM said.