Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday held a bilateral meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the Lotte New York Palace hotel in New York during his three-day US visit.
Modi said he reiterated India’s support for the early restoration of peace and stability in the region during his meeting with Abbas. They also exchanged views on “further strengthening our long-standing friendship with the people of Palestine”.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, the Prime Minister also expressed “deep concern” regarding the humanitarian situation in Gaza and reaffirmed India’s continued support to the Palestinian people.
“The Prime Minister expressed deep concern at the humanitarian situation in Gaza and reaffirmed India’s continued support to the Palestinian people,” spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on Twitter.
India has long supported and voted for a two-State solution at the UN, which allows Palestinians to live freely in an independent nation within secure borders, while also addressing Israel’s legitimate security concerns.
‘Situation in Gaza worsening’
Modi was one of the first global leaders to condemn the horrific terror attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7, but India has repeatedly expressed concern over the deteriorating situation in Gaza. On July 15, the central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the first tranche of $2.5 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), as part of its annual contribution of $5 million for the year 2024-25.
In the 1970s, under the Congress government, India became the first non-Arab country to support the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) and its leader Yasser Arafat as the formal representative of the Palestinians in the General Assembly.
‘Long-term and coherent policy’
Prime Minister Modi arrived in New York on the second leg of his three-day US visit. On Saturday, Prime Minister Modi attended the Quad summit and held bilateral meetings with US President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
The Prime Minister addressed a massive gathering of the Indian community at the Nassau Coliseum in New York on Sunday.
He will also address the ‘Summit of the Future’ at the United Nations General Assembly in New York today.
The Prime Minister expressed deep concern at the humanitarian situation in Gaza and reaffirmed India’s continued support to the people of Palestine.
In February 2024, then Minister of State for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan told the Lok Sabha that India’s policy towards Palestine has been long-standing and consistent.
“We support a two-state solution through negotiations leading to the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine, within secure and recognised borders, living in peace with Israel,” he said.
