India has reaffirmed its historic and unwavering commitment to the peaceful resolution of the vexed Palestine question, supporting a negotiated “two-state solution” leading to the establishment of a “sovereign, independent and viable state” of Palestine at peace with Israel.
Charge d’Affaires and Deputy Permanent Representative of India to the UN Ambassador R Ravindra made the statement on Friday at a conference of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.
“India has always supported a negotiated two-state solution leading to the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable state of Palestine, living within (a) secure and recognised border, side by side at peace with Israel,” Ravindra said.
Delivering India’s statement at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) pledging conference, he reaffirmed New Delhi’s historic and unwavering commitment to the peaceful resolution of the Palestine question.
He said that India has taken a principled position on the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza and strongly condemned the death of civilians, especially women and children.
The barbaric terrorist attack on October 7 last year “deserves our unequivocal condemnation, and we demand (the) unconditional release of all hostages,” he said, referring to the deadly attack by Gaza-based Hamas militants.
Ravindra noted that UNRWA’s role in assuaging the difficult humanitarian situation remains critical, particularly, its humanitarian and social services to the Palestinian refugee community living in Palestine, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon.
Underlining that India has been a trusted development partner for the people of Palestine, he said New Delhi’s developmental assistance to Palestine in various forms over the years amounts to nearly USD 120 million, including USD 35 million as a contribution to UNRWA.
India has been providing an annual contribution to UNRWA of USD 5 million from 2018.
“I’m happy to inform that we will be continuing our annual contribution of 5 million dollars this year as well,” Ravindra said, adding that of this amount, USD 2.5 million will be transferred to UNRWA in the coming days.
India is providing scholarships to 50 students from Palestine to pursue undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral studies in various educational institutions in India, he said.
