India has reiterated its support at the United Nations for a two-state solution that allows Palestinians to live freely in an independent nation within secure borders, while also addressing Israel’s legitimate security concerns.
At the UNGA meeting on Wednesday, Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, Ruchira Kamboj expressed hope that Palestine’s UN membership will be reconsidered and that it will receive widespread support.
On April 18, the US used its veto power to block a United Nations Security Council resolution aimed at granting statehood to Palestine.
Despite the resolution receiving overwhelming support with 12 votes in favour and only the US vetoing it, along with two abstentions, the draft failed to be adopted. It had sought to recommend the General Assembly to conduct a vote among the broader UN membership to facilitate Palestine’s full membership in the United Nations.
Kamboj said: “My leadership has repeatedly emphasized that only a two-state solution, achieved through direct and meaningful negotiations between both sides on final status issues, will deliver an enduring peace.”
“India is committed to supporting a two-state solution where the Palestinian people are able to live freely in an independent country within secure borders, with due regard to the security needs of Israel. To arrive at a lasting solution, we urge all parties to foster conditions conducive to resuming direct peace negotiations at an early date,” she added.
Kamoj emphasized that the conflict in Gaza has persisted for over six months, worsening the humanitarian crisis in the enclave. “There is also the potential for growing instability in the region and beyond. In this context, we view the UNSC’s adoption of resolution 2728 last month as a positive step.”
Kamboj said: “While we have noted that Palestine’s application for membership at the UN was not approved by the Security Council because of the aforesaid veto. I would like to state here at the very outset that in keeping with India’s longstanding position, we hope that this would be reconsidered in due course and that Palestine’s endeavour to become a member of the UN will get endorsed.”
“We have also noted your intention to convene the plenary meeting of the tenth emergency special session of the General Assembly regarding this matter shortly. India will participate actively in this meeting,” she added.
Reiterating India’s position on the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Kamboj said that the conflict between Israel and Hamas has taken a devastating toll on civilian lives, especially among women and children. She described the resulting humanitarian crisis as “unacceptable.”
Kamboj emphasised that India has strongly condemned the deaths of civilians in the conflict and firmly believes that international law must be respected by all parties under all circumstances. She called Hamas’ terror attacks on Israel on October 7 “shocking” and stressed that they deserve “unequivocal condemnation.”
“The terror attacks in Israel on 7 October were shocking, and they deserve our unequivocal condemnation. There can be no justification for terrorism and hostage-taking. India has a longstanding and uncompromising position against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and we demand the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.”
Kamboh called for increasing humanitarian aid to Gaza urgently to prevent further deterioration of the situation. She said that India has already provided humanitarian aid to the people of Palestine and reiterated India’s commitment to continuing this assistance.
“It is imperative that humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza be scaled up immediately in order to avert a further deterioration in the situation. We urge all parties to come together in this endeavour. We welcome the efforts of the UN and the international community in this regard. India has provided humanitarian aid to the people of Palestine and will continue to do so.”
The conflict in Gaza escalated after Hamas carried out a massive terror attack against Israel on October 7, killing over 1200 people, and taking around 250 people hostage. In response, Israel launched a strong counteroffensive targeting the Hamas terror units in the Gaza Strip.
(With ANI input)