India among nations that welcome UAE-Israel-US pact

India on August 14 welcomed the normalisation of relations between the UAE and Israel.

“India has consistently supported peace, stability and development in West Asia, which is its extended neighbourhood. In that context, we welcome the full normalisation of ties between UAE and Israel. Both nations are key strategic partners of India,” said the official spokesperson Anurag Srivastava of the Ministry of External Affairs during the virtual weekly media briefing.

”India continues its traditional support for the Palestinian cause. We hope to see early resumption of direct negotiations to find an acceptable two-state solution,” he said.

Among the other countries and organisations that welcomed the decision are France, Belgium, Italy, Germany, Pakistan and the EU.

Pakistan called it a development with “far-reaching implications”, and that “peace and stability in the Middle East region is also Pakistan’s key priority”.

French President Emmanuel Macron hailed on Twitter the courageous decision by the United Arab Emirates and its desire to contribute the establishment of a just and lasting peace between the Israelis and Palestinians”.

“Under the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the UAE has taken a bold step towards securing broader peace in the Middle East for generations to come,” said John Rakolta, the US Ambassador to the UAE.

“The agreement between the UAE, Israel and the US is a testament to the bold diplomatic and sound vision of the UAE leadership in making this diplomatic breakthrough through which Israel will stop the annexation of Palestinian lands under the Trump Peace Plan,” said President of the Global Council for Tolerance and Peace, Ahmad bin Mohammad Aljarwan, in a statement on August 14.