Amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ruchira Kamboj on Monday said that India advocates for the resumption of direct negotiations towards establishing a sovereign, independent, and viable state of Palestine living within a secure and recognised borders side by side at peace with Israel.
Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly informal discussions on the humanitarian situation in Palestine Kambooj said, "India's consistent position of achieving a just, peaceful and lasting solution to the Israel-Palestine issue. India has always advocated the resumption of direct negotiations towards establishing a sovereign, independent and viable state of Palestine living within secure and recognised borders side by side at peace with Israel."
Kambook welcomed the international efforts to ensure further de-escalation of the conflict and noted that India is firm in opposing terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and is clearly against violence.
She said, "India welcomes all efforts by the international community that strive towards a de-escalation of the conflict and enables the delivery of urgent humanitarian assistance to the people of Palestine."
She further added, "The message from our leaders has been clear and consistent - we are firmly opposed to terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, clearly against violence and are on the side of adherence to international humanitarian law and ensuring that further escalation is prevented, humanitarian aid delivery continues, all hostages are released unconditionally and all parties work towards an early restoration of peace and stability. Towards this, we also welcome efforts for humanitarian pauses."
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She also highlighted that India has already delivered 70 tonnes of disaster relief materials, including medicines and medical supplies, to the people of Palestine.
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She stated, "We are also firm in our commitment to provide humanitarian aid to the people of Palestine and have already delivered 70 tonnes of disaster relief materials including 17 tonnes of medicines and medical supplies in two tranches and our humanitarian support continues. Similarly, India continues to play an active role as a Member of the Advisory Commission of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)."
Israel declared war against Hamas in retaliation to the latter's attack on Israel on October 7 and killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, with around 240 people taken hostage, according to Israeli officials.
(With inputs from agency)