India today said that its policy towards Palestine has been long-standing and it has always supported a negotiated two-state solution, towards the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine within secure and recognized borders, living side by side in peace with Israel. This was stated by External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today. He said, India has strongly condemned the terror attacks on Israel in October last year and also the loss of civilian lives in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Dr Jaishankar said, New Delhi remains concerned about the security situation and has called for a ceasefire, release of all hostages and peaceful resolution of conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. He emphasized the need for safe, timely and sustained delivery of humanitarian assistance to the people of Palestine.

The Minister added that India’s voting on UN resolutions on the issue of Israel and Palestine has been in line with its stated policy. Dr Jaishankar said New Delhi has reiterated its position in various bilateral and multilateral forums including UN, BRICS, NAM and Voice of Global South. He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the Palestine President on the sidelines of the Summit of the Future in New York in September this year and called for a ceasefire, release of hostages and return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy.

The Minister informed that India extends humanitarian assistance to the people of Palestine both bilaterally and through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees in the Near East. Since the beginning of the conflict, New Delhi has provided around 70 Metric tonnes of humanitarian aid, including 16.5 MT of medicines and medical supplies to that country.