Speaking at the United Nations Security Council Open Debate on “Maintenance of International Peace and Security: Advancing Political Solutions in West Asia: Mediation and Dialogue for Lasting Peace” on Wednesday, India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, highlighted the grave humanitarian situation in Gaza and stressed the urgent need for international attention.
Reiterating India’s longstanding position on the Israel-Palestine issue, Ambassador Parvathaneni said India supports “a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine, living side by side in peace and security with Israel within secure and recognised borders.” He described the two-state solution as the only viable path to achieving lasting peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.
Highlighting India’s development partnership with Palestine, the envoy announced that India would soon transfer .5 million to UNRWA as the first tranche of its annual contribution of million. The assistance is aimed at supporting Palestinian refugees amid continuing humanitarian challenges.
Addressing the situation in Lebanon, India called for full respect for the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. It also stressed the importance of implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 and the Declaration on the Cessation of Hostilities issued in November 2024.
Ambassador Parvathaneni noted that Indian personnel serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon continue to play a crucial role in maintaining peace and stability. Emphasising the safety of peacekeepers, he said they carry out a vital mandate entrusted by the Security Council and must not be targeted under any circumstances. He also announced that India would provide medical assistance to Lebanon.
On Yemen, India reaffirmed its commitment to the country’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity while strongly condemning attacks on maritime navigation. The envoy stressed that protecting the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the southern Red Sea is a shared international responsibility. He further stated that India remains firmly opposed to any attempts to undermine stability in the Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean.
Focusing on the broader issue of conflict resolution, Ambassador Parvathaneni argued that mediation frameworks must evolve to remain effective in changing geopolitical realities. He stated that frameworks created in the past are not necessarily suitable for present-day challenges and pointed to the Palestine issue as an example where older mediation mechanisms may no longer be relevant.
He observed that contemporary initiatives such as the Gaza Peace Plan and the Board of Peace framework differ significantly from earlier approaches and emphasised the need for international efforts to adapt to new realities in pursuit of lasting peace.
The Indian envoy also underscored the devastating impact of conflicts on vulnerable populations, particularly women and children. He called for a human-centric approach to conflict resolution, stressing that alleviating human suffering must remain at the centre of all diplomatic and mediation efforts.
In a broader appeal for institutional reform, Ambassador Parvathaneni highlighted the limitations of the current United Nations Security Council structure in responding effectively to conflicts across the world. He said the United Nations is facing growing questions regarding its legitimacy, credibility, and effectiveness as ongoing conflicts continue to inflict immense human suffering.
Calling for comprehensive reforms, he advocated the expansion of both permanent and non-permanent categories of Security Council membership in line with contemporary geopolitical realities. He asserted that meaningful reform is essential to preserving the relevance and effectiveness of the United Nations in the decades ahead.
India’s intervention at the Security Council reflected its continued emphasis on diplomacy, humanitarian assistance, maritime security, peacekeeping, and multilateral reform. By combining support for Palestinian refugees, advocacy for a two-state solution, concern for regional stability, and calls for institutional change, India reinforced its position as a strong proponent of dialogue-driven solutions to some of the world’s most complex conflicts.
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