New Delhi, April 17: India on Friday expressed support for the recently announced ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, stating that it backs all efforts aimed at reducing tensions and advancing peace in the region.
Responding to queries during a weekly media briefing, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India welcomes the development and views it as a positive step towards stabilising a volatile front linked to the wider Iran-related conflict.
The ceasefire, announced by US President Donald Trump, is intended to pause hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah operating from southern Lebanon. Although Lebanon is not formally at war with Israel, Hezbollah’s presence and attacks have triggered repeated retaliatory strikes, leading to significant damage within Lebanese territory.
India’s response comes amid continued global attention on the evolving situation in West Asia, where escalating tensions have drawn diplomatic interventions from multiple countries. The ceasefire is seen as an attempt to contain further deterioration along the Israel-Lebanon border.
During the briefing, Jaiswal was also asked about Israel’s request for India to designate Hamas as a terrorist organisation and its position on disarming the group. He stated that India follows an established process for such matters and that decisions are taken within that framework.
The issue gained prominence after Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, during an interaction with a group of international Hindu leaders, underscored the importance of India formally designating Hamas as a terror organisation. He linked Hamas to broader networks of radical Islamist groups and highlighted security concerns arising from such affiliations.
Sa’ar also referred to strengthening ties between India and Israel, describing the relationship as significant in the current geopolitical context. He spoke about Israel’s ongoing military campaign against groups it considers part of a wider extremist network, stating that the conflict has implications beyond the Middle East.
The ceasefire announcement follows heightened military activity in the region, particularly involving Hezbollah, which has intensified operations in response to broader regional tensions. The group’s actions have contributed to the escalation, prompting countermeasures by Israel.
India’s position reflects a consistent diplomatic approach that emphasises de-escalation, dialogue and adherence to established procedures in matters concerning international security and terrorism designation.
Officials reiterated that India continues to monitor developments in the region closely while maintaining its commitment to peace and stability.
