India on Wednesday reiterated its support for a negotiated two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict and voiced concern over the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza during talks between senior Indian and Palestinian officials.
External Affairs Ministry Secretary Sripriya Ranganathan conveyed India’s position during a meeting with Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin in Palestine. The two sides reviewed bilateral relations, the situation in Gaza and India’s longstanding development partnership with the Palestinian people.
Ranganathan is on an official visit to Egypt, Palestine and Lebanon from August 16 to 21.
India stresses humanitarian assistance for Gaza
During the meeting, Ranganathan conveyed India’s concern over the “grave humanitarian situation” in Gaza and stressed the need for sustained humanitarian assistance.
The Representative Office of India to Palestine said India had reiterated its longstanding support for a negotiated two-state solution and underlined the importance of addressing the humanitarian situation through continued humanitarian assistance, dialogue and diplomacy.
India has consistently supported a two-state solution under which Israel and Palestine coexist peacefully and securely within recognised borders and in accordance with international law.
The discussions also covered developments in Gaza, the broader situation in Palestine and the humanitarian needs of the Palestinian population.
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Development partnership also discussed
The two officials reviewed the full range of India-Palestine relations, with particular focus on India’s development partnership with the Palestinian people.
Ranganathan reaffirmed India’s consistent support for the Palestinian people and a negotiated two-state solution, while stressing the importance of efforts aimed at peace and stability and a lasting political resolution through dialogue and diplomacy.
Ongoing Indian initiatives in health, education and capacity-building were also discussed.
India has provided development assistance and supported capacity-building programmes, scholarships and humanitarian efforts involving the Palestinian people. Its engagement has also included contributions to Palestinian institutions and UN agencies.
The Palestinian Foreign Minister recalled her visit to India in January and expressed appreciation for New Delhi’s continuing support through development projects, capacity-building programmes, scholarships, humanitarian assistance and contributions to Palestinian institutions and UN agencies.
The latest talks come amid continuing international concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and efforts to find a lasting political resolution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
India’s reaffirmation of the two-state position also comes as New Delhi continues to balance its strategic ties with Israel with its longstanding support for the Palestinian cause and its call for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the conflict.
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