Ruchira Kamboj, India's permanent representative to the UN, reaffirmed the country's long-standing relationship with the Palestinian people and its support for a negotiated two-state solution on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. She also stated that "India has a zero-tolerance approach to terrorism."
Tuesday, Ms. Kamboj spoke before the UN General Assembly and said, "Let me reaffirm our long-standing relationship with the Palestinian people based on deep-rooted historical and people-to-people ties and our consistent support to the people of Palestine in the endeavour for statehood, peace and prosperity."
"India has a zero-tolerance approach to terrorism. We also believe that there is a universal obligation to observe international humanitarian law," she added.
Ms. Kamboj highlighted that it is obviously unacceptable and continued to denounce the deaths of civilians.
"In addressing this humanitarian crisis, it is necessary for all parties to display the utmost responsibility," she said.
She also called on the international community to work together to stabilise the situation and provide humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people. The humanitarian pauses are a positive step towards ensuring the prompt and ongoing distribution of aid.
Furthermore, Ms. Kamboj emphasised that 16.5 tonnes of medications and medical supplies were among the 70 tonnes of humanitarian supplies that India provided. "We are aware that the immediate trigger was the terror attacks in Israel on October 7, which were shocking and deserve our unequivocal condemnation. There can be no justification for terrorism and hostage-taking," she said.
She continued to express her worry for the hostages being held in Gaza by saying, "Our thoughts are with those who have been taken as hostages."
She demanded immediate and unconditional release of the remaining hostages throughout her address.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar have maintained strong communication with leaders in the region and beyond, India's UN representative underlined, "where they have emphasised a consistent message that it is important to prevent escalation, ensure continued delivery of humanitarian aid and work towards an early restoration of peace and stability."
She added that alongside exercising cautiousness, they have placed a strong emphasis on a diplomatic and dialogue-based peaceful settlement of the conflict.
"India has always supported a negotiated two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine issue, leading to the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable state of Palestine, living within secure and recognized borders, side by side, in peace with Israel," she reinstated.
Further stressing that India would keep aiding the Palestinian people via its bilateral development partnership, which encompasses a number of areas such as women's empowerment, entrepreneurship, health, education, and information technology. She also stated that India will keep providing humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people.
She finished by restating India's unwavering commitment to providing a fair, peaceful, and long-lasting resolution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
"We firmly believe that not only a two-state solution achieved through direct and meaningful negotiations between both sides on final status issues will deliver an enduring peace that the people of Israel and Palestine desire and deserve," she added.
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