India has declared the recently enacted Gaza Peace Agreement a significant milestone toward fostering stability in the Middle East. The nation firmly reiterated its belief that a two-state solution remains the only viable and practical route to achieving lasting peace between Israel and Palestine.
During a United Nations Security Council quarterly debate on the Middle East on Thursday, October 24, 2025, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, articulated India’s profound aspiration for a stable and peaceful Middle East. He emphasized that “deprivation and indignity cannot be part of daily life; civilians must not die due to conflict.”
Ambassador Harish affirmed India’s unwavering readiness to contribute actively to this crucial peace-building effort.
New Delhi, through Mr. Harish, expressed its optimism that the encouraging diplomatic progress sparked by the peace summit held in Sharm el-Sheikh earlier this month would culminate in enduring peace throughout the region.
In a strong endorsement of the momentous peace agreement, the Indian envoy praised the United States, and particularly President Donald Trump, for their pivotal role in brokering the deal. He also extended commendation to Egypt and Qatar for their valuable contributions.
Following the Israeli Knesset’s preliminary approval of a bill to annex the West Bank, Mr. Harish reaffirmed India’s steadfast position: “Dialogue and diplomacy, alongside the two-state solution, are the essential pathways to peace.” He highlighted that the United States’ significant initiative has spurred diplomatic momentum towards peace, and all involved parties are expected to uphold their commitments.
He further stressed, “We also firmly oppose any unilateral actions by the parties involved. This is a critical moment for all to bolster current peace initiatives, not undermine them.”
Historically, India has consistently championed the establishment of a sovereign, independent, and viable State of Palestine, coexisting peacefully and securely alongside Israel, within mutually recognized borders.
Reiterating India’s stance, Mr. Harish affirmed, “Dialogue and diplomacy, and the two-state solution, are the fundamental instruments for achieving peace. The United States’ pivotal initiative has created a powerful diplomatic impetus for peace, and all parties are bound to adhere to their responsibilities.” He again underscored India’s strong opposition to any unilateral actions from the involved parties.
The Ambassador also reflected on India’s consistent position since the October 7, 2023 conflict, highlighting its unwavering condemnation of terrorism, its appeals for an end to civilian casualties, its demands for the immediate release of all hostages, and its emphasis on ensuring uninterrupted humanitarian aid reaches Gaza.
India, he explained, perceives this recent peace agreement as both an “enabler and a catalyst” for achieving these vital objectives.
He articulated that the immediate successes of recent diplomatic engagements must serve as a foundation for establishing medium to long-term political commitments and concrete actions on the ground, ultimately leading to the realization of a two-state solution.
Emphasizing India’s steadfast support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination, the envoy referenced last month’s high-level UN conference focused on implementing the two-state solution, noting that it had “clearly outlined the path forward.”
Regarding humanitarian efforts, Mr. Harish highlighted India’s substantial assistance to Palestine, amounting to over $170 million in total support. This includes $40 million dedicated to ongoing projects and the provision of 135 metric tons of essential medicines and relief supplies over the last two years.
“The Palestinian people cannot reconstruct their lives without the collective assistance of the international community,” he asserted, advocating for the establishment of economic frameworks that encourage investment and job creation.
Mr. Harish concluded by stating that “Peace and tranquility on the Palestinian issue profoundly affect the broader region… Dialogue must persist, and an unwavering belief in the effectiveness of diplomacy and negotiation is paramount.”
Beyond the immediate focus, Mr. Harish also addressed other significant regional concerns, such as the situations in Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen, underscoring India’s ongoing commitments to humanitarian aid and peacekeeping missions in these areas.
Concerning Syria, he reaffirmed India’s support for a “Syrian-led, Syrian-owned political process.” He also paid tribute to 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).
Notably, India ranks as the third-largest contributor of troops to UNDOF, demonstrating its significant role in regional stability.
He further highlighted the critical importance of ensuring the safety of UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, where India is the second-largest contributor to UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon). The Ambassador expressed hope that the Lebanese Armed Forces would assume full control of security once the mission’s sunset clause is implemented in 2026.
Regarding Yemen, Mr. Harish urged an “immediate cessation of hostilities” to facilitate the delivery of crucial humanitarian aid to civilians, emphasizing that such assistance “must transcend political considerations.”
(Inputs from PTI were included in this report.)