India has declared the newly signed Gaza Peace Agreement a pivotal moment, marking a significant stride toward stability in the Middle East. The nation reaffirmed its conviction that a two-state solution offers the most realistic and enduring path to peace between Israel and Palestine.
During a United Nations Security Council debate on the Middle East, India’s Permanent Representative, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, articulated India’s profound desire for a stable and tranquil region. He emphasized that the daily realities of ‘deprivation and indignity’ must cease, and innocent civilians should no longer perish in conflicts.
Ambassador Harish underscored India’s unwavering commitment to actively support these peace-building efforts.
He further expressed New Delhi’s optimism that the constructive diplomatic progress initiated at the recent Sharm el-Sheikh peace summit would cultivate a lasting peace throughout the area.
The Indian envoy warmly welcomed the signing of this groundbreaking peace accord. He specifically praised the United States, acknowledging President Donald Trump’s instrumental leadership in orchestrating the deal, and also extended commendation to Egypt and Qatar for their valuable contributions.
Addressing the Israeli Knesset’s preliminary bill to annex the West Bank, Ambassador Harish reiterated India’s firm belief that dialogue, diplomacy, and the two-state solution remain the sole avenues to achieving peace. He stressed that the significant U.S.-led initiative has created a diplomatic thrust towards peace, and all involved parties must uphold their responsibilities.
He further asserted India’s strong opposition to any unilateral actions by the parties involved, urging that this critical juncture demands collective support for ongoing peace initiatives, not their undermining.
India’s long-standing position advocates for a sovereign, independent, and viable State of Palestine, coexisting peacefully and securely with Israel within mutually recognized and secure borders.
Reaffirming India’s commitment, Ambassador Harish declared, “Dialogue and diplomacy, along with the two-state solution, are the essential tools for achieving peace.” He underscored that the monumental U.S. initiative has ignited diplomatic progress, necessitating that all parties honor their commitments. He reiterated India’s strong disapproval of any one-sided actions by those involved.
The Ambassador reminded the Council that ever since the conflict began on October 7, 2023, India has steadfastly condemned terrorism, urged an immediate end to civilian hardship, called for the release of all hostages, and emphasized the imperative of unhindered humanitarian assistance reaching Gaza.
He articulated India’s view of the new peace agreement as a powerful ‘enabler and catalyst’ for achieving these crucial goals.
According to Ambassador Harish, the immediate positive results from recent diplomatic endeavors must serve as a foundation for sustained political commitment and tangible progress on the ground, ultimately leading to the realization of a two-state solution.
Emphasizing India’s enduring support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination, the envoy referenced the recent UN high-level conference focused on implementing the two-state solution, noting that it had clearly ‘underlined the path forward’.
Regarding humanitarian assistance, Ambassador Harish highlighted India’s substantial support to Palestine, totaling over $170 million. This includes $40 million in active projects and 135 metric tons of essential medicines and relief provisions delivered over the last two years.
He asserted that the Palestinian people cannot reconstruct their lives without concerted international backing, urging the establishment of economic structures that foster investment and create employment opportunities.
Ambassador Harish concluded that peace and tranquility in the Palestinian territories are vital for the entire region’s stability, emphasizing the continuous need for dialogue and diplomacy, and an unwavering belief in their effectiveness.
Beyond Palestine, Ambassador Harish also addressed other critical regional concerns, such as Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen, reiterating India’s consistent contributions to humanitarian aid and peacekeeping missions in these areas.
For Syria, he reaffirmed India’s commitment to a political process that is ‘Syrian-led and Syrian-owned,’ and honored Brigadier General Amitabh Jha, who tragically lost his life in December 2024 while serving as the Acting Force Commander of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF).
India proudly stands as the third-largest troop contributor to UNDOF.
Additionally, he emphasized the critical importance of ensuring the safety of UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, where India is the second-largest contributor to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). He voiced hope that the Lebanese Armed Forces would assume full operational control once the mission’s mandate concludes in 2026.
Regarding Yemen, Ambassador Harish called for an immediate halt to hostilities, advocating for humanitarian aid to reach civilians without impediment, stressing that such assistance must transcend political considerations.