Addressing the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday, India's Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni highlighted the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza and called for urgent international attention to address the crisis.
Parvathaneni stated that India would soon transfer $2.5 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) as the first installment of its annual contribution of $5 million. He noted that India has steadily expanded its support to UNRWA over the years, increasing its annual contribution from $1.25 million to $5 million beginning in the 2018-19 financial year.
The enhanced financial commitment was introduced during a period of severe financial strain for UNRWA, when the agency faced significant challenges in maintaining essential services for Palestinian refugees across the region.
India's strengthened engagement with Palestine gained momentum following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic visit to Palestine in February 2018, the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the Palestinian territories. The visit marked a significant milestone in bilateral relations and underscored India's continued commitment to the Palestinian cause.
Reaffirming New Delhi's long-standing position, Parvathaneni expressed support for the establishment of a sovereign, independent, and viable State of Palestine living side by side with Israel in peace, within secure and internationally recognized borders.
The ambassador also observed that several existing mediation mechanisms concerning the Palestinian issue have become outdated and no longer reflect present realities. Referring to evolving diplomatic efforts, he stated that contemporary peace initiatives differ significantly from earlier frameworks and require fresh approaches suited to current circumstances.
Emphasizing the human cost of the conflict, Parvathaneni stressed that any meaningful peace initiative must place the suffering of civilians at its core, particularly the protection of women and children who continue to bear the heaviest burden of violence and instability.
He further called for a sustained ceasefire in Gaza and urged the international community to ensure unrestricted humanitarian access to the affected population.
India's latest contribution and diplomatic position reinforce its continued support for humanitarian relief efforts and its long-standing advocacy for a negotiated two-state solution, as the international community seeks pathways to lasting peace and stability in the region.
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