An Israeli artillery unit fires from an undisclosed location near the Gaza Strip border, on November 6, 2023. Photo: Ilan Rosenberg/Reuters

NEW DELHI: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has urged the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, November 06, 2023, to utilize “all its capacities” to end Israeli actions including bombing of the civilian population amid the ongoing conflict.

According to the Iranian statement on the call between the two leaders, Raisi recalled Indian struggles against the western colonialism and the country’s position as one of the founders of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in the world.

The statement said that “today, India is expected to use all its capacities to end the Zionist crimes against the oppressed people of Gaza Strip”.

Ebrahim Raisi also stated that Tehran supports any global joint effort for an immediate ceasefire, lifting blockade and providing humanitarian aide to the oppressed people of Gaza.

He said that “The continuation of the killing of the Palestinian people has infuriated of all the free nations of the world and this killing will have extra-regional consequences.”

The statement quoting Raisi said that the killing of oppressed and innocent women and children, attacks on hospitals, schools, mosques, churches and residential areas are ‘condemned and unacceptable’ from the point of view of any human being.

‘The Palestinian resistance groups have a legitimate right to confront the occupation of the usurping Zionist regime and all countries must support the Palestinian people’s struggle for freedom from oppression,’ the Iranian statement quoted Raisi as saying.

Raisi said, “How come that the struggle of European countries against Nazi Germany is an admirable and heroic act, but the resistance of the Palestinian people against the child-killing and criminal Zionist regime is condemned?”

In another part of this conversation, Raisi described the Tehran’s view of relations with India as ‘strategic’ and emphasised the necessity of planning for the development of cooperation and compensating the delays in this field.

Emphasising the importance of the North-South Corridor and its benefits for all countries in the region, Iranian President emphasised that India is expected to make ‘serious investments’ to strengthen sustainable economic cooperation, including in Chabahar Port.

During the conversation, Indian Prime Minister, stressed the importance of preventing escalation, ensuring the continued provision of humanitarian aid, and early restoration of peace and stability in the region.

The two leaders also welcomed the progress in India and Iran’s progress in bilateral cooperation, including on the Chabahar port.

Since Israel’s declaration of a war on Hamas after the militant group unleashed mayhem in southern Israel on October 7, Modi has had regular telephone conversations with world leaders.

On Friday, Narendra Modi spoke to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) President, Mohammaed Bin Zayed, sharing his concerns over the escalating situation and loss of civilian lives amid the Israel-Hamas war. Both leaders agreed on ‘the need for early resolution of the security and humanitarian situation’ in the region after Hamas launched an attack on Israel on October 7.

Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke to his Iranian counterpart Amirabdollahian to discuss the escalating Israel-Hamas war.

The two leaders appear to have underscored the importance of preventing further escalation in the region of Middle East and providing critical humanitarian support to the civilian population in Gaza Strip.

They also agreed to maintain communication to address the evolving situation in the region.