India has reiterated its support for a negotiated two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict, called for a sustained ceasefire in Gaza and announced that it will soon provide USD 2.5 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) as part of its annual contribution.

Speaking at the United Nations Security Council Open Debate on “Maintenance of International Peace and Security: Advancing Political Solutions in the Middle East: Mediation and Dialogue for Lasting Peace”, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, said the humanitarian situation in Gaza remained a matter of grave concern and required urgent global attention.

Reaffirming India’s longstanding position, he said New Delhi supports “a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine, living side by side in peace and security with Israel within secure and recognised borders”, describing the two-state solution as the only viable path to lasting peace and prosperity in the region.

India To Release First Tranche Of UNRWA Aid

Highlighting India’s development partnership with Palestine, Ambassador Harish announced that New Delhi would shortly hand over USD 2.5 million to UNRWA, representing the first instalment of India’s annual contribution of USD 5 million.

The announcement came amid growing international concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and increasing calls for greater support for Palestinian civilians affected by the conflict.

Harish stressed the need for continued efforts to alleviate human suffering and underlined that women and children often bear the heaviest burden during wars and disputes.

He called for a human-centric approach to conflict resolution, saying that reducing human suffering must remain at the centre of all peace initiatives.

India Reaffirms Support For Lebanon And Yemen

Addressing developments in Lebanon, the Indian envoy emphasised the importance of respecting the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and called for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and the November 2024 Declaration on the Cessation of Hostilities.

He noted that Indian troops serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) continue to perform an important mandate and stressed that peacekeepers must not be targeted.

Harish also announced that India would provide medical assistance to Lebanon.

On Yemen, India reaffirmed its commitment to the country’s unity and territorial integrity and strongly condemned attacks on maritime navigation.

He said ensuring the security of the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the southern Red Sea was a shared international responsibility and reiterated India’s opposition to any attempts to undermine stability in the Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Sea and the wider Indian Ocean region.

India Calls For UN Security Council Reforms

The Indian envoy also argued that existing mediation frameworks must evolve to reflect changing geopolitical realities.

Referring to efforts aimed at resolving the Palestinian issue, he said many earlier mechanisms had become outdated and that newer initiatives such as the Gaza Peace Plan and the Board of Peace framework represented different approaches suited to present circumstances.

Harish further called for comprehensive reforms of the United Nations Security Council, saying questions were increasingly being raised over the institution’s legitimacy, credibility and effectiveness in dealing with global conflicts.

He said meaningful reform through the expansion of both permanent and non-permanent categories of membership was essential to ensure that the Security Council remains relevant and capable of addressing contemporary challenges.

According to India, the eight-decade-old structure of the Security Council must be made “fit for purpose” in line with present-day geopolitical realities.

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