India backs Palestine, condemns West Bank settlement expansion
India backs Palestine, condemns West Bank settlement expansion
New Delhi joins 100+ nations in a UN statement condemning settlement expansion in the West Bank, reaffirming support for a two-state solution and Palestinian rights.
India joined more than 100 countries and international organisations in a UN statement condemning Israel’s expansion of settlements in the West Bank, underscoring New Delhi’s long-standing support for a two-state solution and the rights of the Palestinian people. The move reflects India’s commitment to international law and the goal of a just, lasting peace in the Middle East. The statement, circulated at the UN, criticised ongoing efforts to consolidate control over areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority and called for adherence to resolutions that pave the way for peaceful coexistence.
In a weekly media briefing, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the document was not negotiated among the signatories, emphasizing that India’s position aligns with the India-Arab League ministerial joint statement issued on January 31. That joint statement reaffirmed backing for a sovereign, independent Palestinian state based on 1967 borders, living side by side with Israel, as part of a comprehensive peace framework. Jaiswal noted that India’s stance remains rooted in the rights of the Palestinian people and in multilateral diplomacy to advance peace.
Observers describe India’s decision as a careful balancing act between its ties with Israel and its outreach to the Arab world, aiming to preserve regional stability and uphold international law. By joining the broader condemnation, India signalled that unilateral settlement expansion is unacceptable and that a negotiated solution—upheld by international norms—remains essential. The UN statement drew wide support across continents, reinforcing the global push for a two-state solution even as tensions persist.
India’s late signing, after Palestine’s envoy had initially circulated a similar appeal, underscores a measured approach in a complex regional landscape. The government has reiterated its commitment to a two-state framework and Palestinian rights, while continuing to push for peace and stability through dialogue and international cooperation.
