World leaders will gather for a historic Gaza summit in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm ElSheikh on Monday as Israeli hostages return home as part of the peace deal brokered by US President Donald Trump.
Co-chaired by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Trump, the gathering is being described as a critical milestone in efforts to end the two-year-long war in Gaza and usher in a new phase of regional peace.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also invited for the summit but will not be able attend on such a short notice. India has sent MoS Kirti Vardhan Singh as its special representative for the meeting.
India's stance on Palestine
Despite being a close ally of Israel, India has always supported a negotiated two-state solution between Israel and Palestine.
Earlier, PM Modi had welcomed the agreement on the first phase the Gaza peace plan signed between Israel and Hamas.
In a social media post, Modi expressed hope that the release of hostages and enhanced humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza will bring respite to them and pave the way for lasting peace. He added that this is also a reflection of the strong leadership of Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu.
India's position on Gaza was recently made clear by MoS Singh in the monsoon session of Lok Sabha when he asked to give the Centre's view on the diplomatic position adopted by the country amid the humanitarian crisis in the region.
The external affairs ministry said that India has always supported a negotiated two-state solution, towards establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable state of Palestine within secure and recognized borders, living side by side in peace with Israel.
"India also supports Palestine’s membership of the UN. India has strongly condemned the terror attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023 and also the loss of civilian lives in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict," the government said.
It also expressed concerned at the security situation and had called for a ceasefire, release of all hostages and peaceful resolution of conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.
Notably, India was one of the first countries to recognise the state of Palestine in 1988 and has consistently supported its cause at the United Nations and other global forums. PM Modi became the first Indian PM to visit Israel in 2017 followed by a separate visit to Palestine in 2018, signalling India’s effort to maintain balanced ties with both sides.
According to MEA, India has also extended humanitarian assistance to the people of Palestine both bilaterally and through United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
"Since the beginning of the conflict, India has provided around 70 MT of humanitarian aid, including 16.5 MT of medicines and medical supplies in 2 tranches in October and November 2023. India has also sent 65 MT of medicines to UNRWA and Palestine Ministry of Health in October and November 2024," the government had informed Lok Sabha.
India has also completed projects worth $26 million in Palestine over the last 5 years.
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