NEW YORK, June 11 — India has reaffirmed 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 $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 Harish Parvathaneni, said the situation in Gaza carries grave humanitarian consequences and requires urgent international attention.
He reiterated India’s support for “a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine, living side by side in peace and security with Israel within secure and recognized borders,” describing it as the only path toward lasting peace and prosperity in the region.
Highlighting India’s longstanding development partnership with Palestine, Parvathaneni said, “We will be handing over in a few days, $2.5 million to UNRWA, the first tranche of our annual $5 million contribution.”
Addressing the situation in Lebanon, India called for respect for the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and emphasized the need to implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 and the Declaration on the Cessation of Hostilities issued in November 2024.
Parvathaneni noted that Indian troops serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) continue to play a critical role and stressed the importance of ensuring their safety and security.
“They carry out a vital mandate entrusted by this Council and they must not be targeted,” he said, adding that India would also send 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 said safeguarding the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the southern Red Sea remains a shared international responsibility. He added that India opposes any attempts to undermine stability in the Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean.
Parvathaneni also underscored the need for mediation frameworks to evolve with changing realities, noting that mechanisms created in the past may no longer be effective in addressing current challenges.
“We must adapt and continue our efforts in tune with the new realities. For example, the Palestine issue is replete with outdated mediation frameworks that are not relevant in today’s context. Today’s Gaza Peace Plan and the Board of Peace framework are very distinct as compared to earlier frameworks,” he said.
Emphasizing that women, children and other vulnerable populations often bear the greatest burden during conflicts, he called for a human-centered approach to conflict resolution and peacebuilding efforts.
He also advocated reform of the nearly eight-decade-old United Nations Security Council, citing its inability to effectively address conflicts occurring across various regions of the world.
“The UN is facing questions related to legitimacy, credibility and efficacy. Raging conflicts in different parts of the world and the immeasurable human suffering are driving factors,” he said.
“Implementing real reforms, through expansion of both permanent and non-permanent categories in accordance with today’s geopolitical realities, is vital to the UN’s continued relevance and future. The UNSC has to be fit-for-purpose,” he added. (ANI)
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