Israel's Ambassador Hints at Modi's Potential Role in Israel-Iran Peace Talks

Israel's Diplomatic Relations with India

New Delhi, June 14: Reuven Azar, the Israeli Ambassador to India, referred to India as a "good friend" of Israel and acknowledged its constructive dialogue with Iran. In a recent interview, he did not dismiss the idea of Prime Minister Narendra Modi potentially facilitating peace negotiations between Tehran and Jerusalem.

Azar expressed admiration for Modi, stating, "We respect Prime Minister Modi. I think he is a great leader. He has proved to be very effective for the prosperity of the Indian nation, and we do not discard that possibility," when asked about Modi's potential role as a mediator in discussions between Israel and Iran.

Following the initiation of “Operation Rising Lion,” a military campaign aimed at countering the Iranian nuclear threat, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reached out to global leaders, including Modi, to inform them about Israel's military actions against Iran.

During their conversation, Modi conveyed India's concerns and emphasized the importance of restoring peace and stability in the region.

Azar remarked, "India is a very good friend of Israel. We had high-level discussions yesterday. Our Prime Minister spoke with Prime Minister Modi, and our national security advisors and foreign ministers also communicated. We recognize that India maintains a positive dialogue with the Iranians."

The ambassador further stressed the need for the international community to take stronger actions against terrorism and to hold accountable those who support and harbor terrorists.

India has also expressed its deep concern regarding the escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, closely monitoring the situation, particularly reports of attacks on nuclear facilities.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated, "India urges both sides to refrain from escalating the situation. Existing diplomatic channels should be utilized to de-escalate tensions and address the underlying issues. India maintains close relations with both nations and is prepared to offer support. Our missions in both countries are in contact with the Indian community, and all Indian nationals in the region are advised to exercise caution and adhere to local security guidelines."