Russia and India expressed concern over the situation in the Palestinian enclave of Gaza and called on all parties to remain committed to “cessation of the conflict,” Anadolu news agency reported on Friday.
In a joint statement, Moscow and New Delhi reiterated their commitment to peace and stability in the Middle East, calling for “restraint, protection of civilians, compliance with international law, and the need to refrain from actions that could further escalate the situation and undermine regional stability.”
Both sides “expressed their concern about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and strongly emphasized the importance of all parties concerned continuing to abide by the agreements and understandings reached between the two countries for a cessation of conflict, humanitarian assistance and sustainable peace.”
The joint statement was issued after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to the 23rd India-Russia Summit in New Delhi.
It also comes amid renewed Israeli offensives in the Gaza Strip, in violation of a cease-fire agreement that took effect on October 10.
The two sides exchanged several documents, including Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) on trade and commerce, migration and mobility, maritime cooperation (ports and shipping development), health and food safety, fertilizers, academic exchanges, media cooperation, and strengthening people-to-people ties.
Putin arrived in India late Thursday for the summit amid mounting pressure for New Delhi to halt purchases of Russian crude oil from the United States.
The US government imposed a 50% tariff on imports from India, partly to buy Russian crude oil as the war continued.