India is set to participate in a three-day United Nations conference focused on achieving a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The conference underscores renewed international efforts to implement a two-state solution and end the ongoing hostilities in Gaza.
The UN high-level conference, scheduled to begin on Monday, has garnered participation from 123 countries and agencies, including India. France and Saudi Arabia, both key strategic partners of India, will co-chair the event. The conference aims to identify concrete steps toward a two-state solution, with proposals developed by eight working groups that have consulted with UN member states and civil society actors.
India's participation follows its vote in favor of a UN General Assembly resolution that called for an international summit in June 2025 to discuss the two-state solution. Although the summit was postponed due to the Iran-Israel conflict, India's commitment to a peaceful resolution remains firm.
India's Permanent Representative to the UN, P. Harish, acknowledged the conference during a recent Security Council session on the Palestinian question. He expressed hope that the conference would "pave the way for concrete steps towards achieving a two-state solution".
India's stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been consistent, advocating for a negotiated two-state solution where a sovereign, independent, and viable State of Palestine exists within secure and recognized borders, living peacefully alongside Israel. India was among the first non-Arab countries to recognize the State of Palestine and has maintained strong ties with the Palestinian people.
At a recent UN Security Council meeting, India's UN Ambassador Harish P. emphasized the need for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East and the facilitation of humanitarian assistance. He stressed that dialogue and diplomacy are essential to address human suffering and achieve peace, urging the release of all hostages.
India has also expressed concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, highlighting the acute shortages of food, inadequate medical services, and lack of access to education faced by civilians. India has provided support to the Palestinian people through various means, including contributions to organizations like the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and the implementation of projects valued at over $40 million in Palestine.
While India has generally supported resolutions calling for ceasefires, it has, at times, abstained from resolutions critical of Israel or those that did not adequately condemn the October 7, 2023, terror attacks. Despite this, India's commitment to the Palestinian cause remains unwavering.
India's participation in the upcoming UN conference signals its continued dedication to finding a peaceful and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, based on the two-state solution.
