India on Tuesday said it was “deeply concerned” by Israel’s strike in Doha last week, condemning it as a “violation of the sovereignty of Qatar.”
Speaking at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), India’s envoy Arindam Baghchi warned that the Israeli action threatened regional peace and stability.
India urged both sides to avoid escalation and exercise restraint. New Delhi, which maintains close ties with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, had earlier issued a statement through the External Affairs Ministry condemning the Israeli strike.
The action, carried out in the name of targeting Hamas leaders, has also placed the United States under scrutiny, as Qatar hosts a major US Air Force base and remains a close ally of Washington.
Baghchi told the UNHRC that India “firmly believes that differences must be resolved peacefully through dialogue and diplomacy, in full conformity with the principles of the UN Charter and international law.”
He added that escalation must be avoided, sovereignty and territorial integrity respected, and diplomacy prioritised to prevent a deterioration in regional security.
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“We stand firmly in support of peace and stability in the region, and against terrorism in any form or manifestation,” Baghchi said.
“We call upon the international community to remain united in efforts towards attaining peace and upholding the rule of law. As a close partner, India reiterates its solidarity with Qatar and its people.”
Israel strikes Qatar
Israel confirmed it carried out the airstrike in Doha, claiming the target was “the top leadership of the Hamas terrorist organisation.” Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office described it as a “fully independent Israeli operation” conducted without external coordination.
However, Karoline Leavitt, press secretary to Donald Trump, said the US administration had been informed of the operation in advance.
She confirmed that Trump’s Middle East envoy was instructed to alert Qatari authorities, which he did. Leavitt added that Trump “feels very badly” about the strike location, calling Qatar a “close ally.”
Qatar, meanwhile, rejected those claims. The Qatari Prime Minister’s advisor said on X that reports suggesting Doha was informed before the strike were “baseless.”
Qatar condemned the attack as a “cowardly act” and announced it would end its role as mediator.
Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani accused Netanyahu of wasting Qatar’s time in mediation and dragging the West Asian region into “chaos.” He also warned that “there will be a collective response from regional allies.”
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