India has consistently supported the recognition of Palestine as a sovereign state. In the late 1980s, India was among the first countries to officially recognize Palestine. This long-standing position aligns with India’s advocacy for a two-state solution.
Responding to media queries at the Ministry of External Affairs weekly briefing, official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India believes in the establishment of a sovereign, viable, and independent state of Palestine within recognized and mutually agreed borders, coexisting peacefully alongside Israel.
This is what official spokesperson said regarding India’s position regarding the recognition of Palestine by Ireland, Norway and Spain:
“As you are aware, India was one of the first countries to recognise the state of Palestine in the late 1980s, and we have long supported two state solution which entails the establishment of a sovereign, viable, and independent state of Palestine within recognised and mutually agreed borders, living side by side with Israel in peace.”
Recently, countries like Ireland, Norway, and Spain have also recognized Palestine. India views these actions positively, as they align with its own stance on the issue. India’s commitment to the Palestinian cause is rooted in its broader vision for peace and stability in the Middle East. The recognition of Palestine by these European countries is seen as a step towards reinforcing the international consensus on the need for a two-state solution.
India’s stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict has always been one of balance and neutrality. While maintaining strong diplomatic and economic ties with Israel, India has never wavered in its support for Palestinian rights and statehood. This balanced approach is reflective of India’s broader foreign policy, which emphasizes dialogue, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence.
India’s position on the recent events in Rafah
Turning to recent events in Rafah, India expressed its deep concern about the tragic loss of civilian lives in the displacement camp. The ongoing conflict has led to significant humanitarian distress, and India has consistently called for the protection of civilian populations and adherence to international humanitarian law. The incident in Rafah, where many civilians lost their lives, highlights the urgent need for all parties to exercise restraint and ensure the safety of non-combatants, the official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.
India notes that Israel has accepted responsibility for the incident in Rafah, acknowledging it as a tragic accident and has announced an investigation into the matter. This acknowledgment and the subsequent investigation are crucial steps towards accountability and preventing such incidents in the future.
On Rafah, this is what the official Spokesperson said:
“The heartbreaking loss of civilian lives in the displacement camp in Rafah is a matter of deep concern. We have consistently called for protection of the civilian population and respect for international humanitarian law in the ongoing conflict. We also note that the Israeli side has already accepted responsibility for it as a tragic accident and announced an investigation into the incident.”
The tragic events in Rafah serve as a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict and the necessity for renewed efforts towards achieving lasting peace in the region.
