Key facts
- India reiterated support for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
- India called for a sustained ceasefire in Gaza.
- India will provide $2.5 million to UNRWA for development projects in Palestine.
- India's annual contribution to UNRWA is $5 million.
- India stressed the need to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701 regarding Lebanon.
- India condemned attacks on maritime navigation in Yemen.
India has reaffirmed its commitment to a negotiated two-state solution for the Israel-Palestine conflict and urged for a sustained ceasefire in Gaza. During a UN Security Council debate on advancing political solutions in the Middle East, India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, announced that the country will soon provide $2.5 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
This contribution is the first tranche of India's annual $5 million commitment to UNRWA, aimed at supporting development projects in Palestine. Parvathaneni emphasized that a sovereign, independent, and viable State of Palestine, coexisting peacefully with Israel, is the sole path to lasting regional peace.
The envoy also addressed the situation in Lebanon, calling for respect for its sovereignty and the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. He highlighted the crucial role of Indian troops serving with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and stressed the importance of their safety, announcing that India would also send medical aid to Lebanon.
Regarding Yemen, India condemned attacks on maritime navigation and affirmed its commitment to the country's unity and territorial integrity. Parvathaneni underscored that safeguarding the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the southern Red Sea is a shared international responsibility.
Parvathaneni also commented on the need for evolving mediation frameworks to suit current geopolitical realities, noting that existing frameworks for the Palestine issue may be outdated. He stressed that interventions must prioritize alleviating human suffering, particularly for vulnerable groups like women and children, advocating for a human-centric approach to conflict resolution.
Furthermore, he called for reforms to the UN Security Council's structure, arguing that its current architecture is insufficient to address global conflicts and human suffering, thus questioning the UN's legitimacy, credibility, and efficacy. He stressed the necessity of expanding both permanent and non-permanent categories of UNSC membership to align with contemporary geopolitical realities, ensuring the Council remains fit for purpose.