The 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York came to a close on September 29, 2025, amid a whirlwind of high-stakes diplomacy, heated debates, and a renewed global focus on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As world leaders gathered to reflect on the past eight decades of the United Nations and chart a course for the future, India’s evolving role in Middle East diplomacy and the changing international landscape around Palestine took center stage.
According to The Times of India, India’s developmental assistance to Palestine has seen a dramatic increase in recent years. Over the past 11 years, India has provided nearly $80 million in aid to the Palestinian people—almost double the $42 million given in the preceding 65 years. This surge in support, Indian authorities say, is not just about numbers. It reflects a conscious effort to balance India’s deepening relationship with Israel and its longstanding commitment to the Palestinian cause.
Projects worth $40 million are currently in the pipeline, and India contributes $5 million annually to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Since the 2020-21 fiscal year, India has provided $27.5 million to the agency, continuing its support even after Israel imposed a ban on UNRWA operations. As one diplomatic source told The Times of India, "India’s developmental assistance, given to Palestine since 2014 is almost double of what was given in the preceding 65 years (around $42 million) and projects worth $40 million are in the pipeline."
Such financial commitments are only part of the story. India’s diplomatic stance at the UN has been under the microscope, especially after it abstained from a June 2025 vote on a UNGA resolution calling for a lasting and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza. Despite this, Indian authorities emphasize that the country’s voting pattern on Israel-Palestine issues has remained consistent. Over the past decade, India has not voted against any of the 175 resolutions concerning Israel and Palestine. More recently, India was among the 142 countries that endorsed the New York Declaration, which lays out tangible, irreversible, and timebound steps toward a two-state solution.
The two-state solution, a diplomatic framework envisioning an independent State of Palestine alongside Israel, has long been a cornerstone of international efforts to resolve the conflict. As the 80th UNGA session unfolded, this vision received renewed backing. During the High-level Week, several major countries—including France, Britain, Canada, and Australia—announced their recognition of Palestine’s statehood. This move, reported by Xinhua, left Israel and the United States increasingly isolated on the issue, underscoring a global shift in sentiment.
The General Debate itself, as described by UNGA President Annalena Baerbock, was a testament to the enduring relevance of the United Nations. "At the beginning of this week, we referred to the United Nations as the house of diplomacy and dialogue, standing at a crossroads, a place where we gather to have hard conversations during challenging times," she remarked, according to Xinhua. Baerbock highlighted the energy and resolve displayed by member states, noting, "This week's General Debate, with strong engagements and impassioned words, showed that we are capable of finding the strength to lift up our common leadership, to find collective solutions, and to take the right path at the crossroads."
Yet, the week was not without controversy. The U.S., as host country, faced criticism for what some labeled the "weaponisation of visas." Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was unable to attend in person due to a U.S. visa ban on Palestinian officials, delivering his speech remotely instead. Colombian President Gustavo Petro had his visa revoked after participating in a pro-Palestinian demonstration outside the UN headquarters—a move that led him to question whether New York remains a suitable host city for the United Nations.
In a high-profile moment, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech on September 26 triggered a mass walkout from the General Assembly Hall, as scores of delegates exited in protest. The incident, widely covered by international media, underscored the deep divisions over Israel’s policies and the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
Meanwhile, India’s position has been a delicate balancing act. Since the eruption of the Gaza conflict in 2023, India has had to navigate its growing strategic partnership with Israel and its historical support for Palestinian rights. The Indian government strongly condemned the October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks by Hamas, defending Israel’s right to self-defense. At the same time, it condemned civilian casualties in the Israel-Hamas war and called for respect for international humanitarian law. Indian authorities reiterated their call for a ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and a peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomacy as of late September 2025.
These efforts have not gone unnoticed by Palestinian officials. According to The Times of India, Palestinian ambassador Abdullah Shawesh recently expressed satisfaction with India’s position, noting the country’s continued advocacy for bringing Israel and Palestine back to direct negotiations.
India’s internal debates have not been without drama. The government has faced criticism at home for what some see as flip-flopping on the Gaza issue—particularly its abstention from the June 2025 UNGA ceasefire vote. However, officials maintain that the country’s fundamental approach, including its endorsement of a two-state solution, remains unchanged. The recent visit to India by Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich, a figure known for his hardline views, raised eyebrows. Yet, Indian authorities were quick to clarify that the visit was strictly for the purpose of signing a bilateral investment agreement, a deal that had been in the works for six years and was finalized only in September 2025.
The UNGA’s 80th session was also marked by a series of high-level meetings on global challenges—from climate change to artificial intelligence governance and the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women. But it was the question of Palestine that dominated headlines and diplomatic backchannels. As Xinhua reported, the High-level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution provided a platform for renewed calls to end the conflict.
Amid the weighty discussions, there were moments of levity and controversy. U.S. President Donald Trump, in his address to the General Assembly, criticized the UN and complained about technical glitches, including a malfunctioning teleprompter and a stalled escalator. Separately, Fox News host Jesse Watters apologized for on-air remarks suggesting the UN should be "bombed" or "gassed"—comments that drew swift condemnation and a public apology, as confirmed by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s spokesperson.
As the world reflects on the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, the events of the past week serve as a reminder that the path to peace remains fraught but not impassable. India’s evolving role, the shifting diplomatic landscape, and the passionate debates at the UNGA all point to a world still searching for common ground—and, perhaps, a way forward in one of the most intractable conflicts of our time.