India, which was one of the first countries to recognise the Palestinian state in 1988, on Thursday remained non-committal on the question of supporting South Africa’s case in the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza.

When asked specifically if India supported South Africa’s case against Israel, external affairs ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal repeated India’s stated position on the ongoing conflict in Gaza without providing a direct answer to the question.

"Our position on the Israel-Gaza issue has been very clearly articulated on multiple occasions. Our position on the Israel-Hamas conflict has been consistent and steadfast — we have condemned terrorism, we have called for release of hostages, we have sought protection of civilians and we have called for provision of humanitarian assistance. And, we stand for a long-term two-state solution. This is India’s position and this is the position we support," he said.

'Matter between them'

After backing Iran’s right to self-defence in the wake of Tehran’s targeted strikes inside Pakistan against an anti-Iranian militant group, India on Thursday refused to be drawn in further into the standoff after Islamabad retaliated in like manner by bombing "terrorist hideouts in Sistan Balochistan". Jaiswal said: "We do not want to comment on this. This is a matter between them."

India’s response to queries on Iran’s air strikes in Pakistan was: "...We have an uncompromising position of zero tolerance towards terrorism. We understand actions that countries take in their self-defence.”