New Delhi, Dec 16: Responding to questions about its stance on the Palestine crisis, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reaffirmed its support for the establishment of a sovereign Palestine coexisting peacefully alongside Israel. The ministry, addressing the National Conference MP Aga Syed Rahullah, highlighted India’s advocacy for ceasefire and resolution through dialogue and diplomacy as the Mideast conflict escalates.
The MEA noted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's active engagement with global leaders, including discussions with Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas during the Summit of the Future held on September 22, 2024, in New York. This engagement underlines India’s commitment to facilitating peace, the ministry stated, as it revealed India’s humanitarian contributions to Gaza since the beginning of the crisis.
Since the onset of violence, India has provided approximately 70 metric tonnes of aid to Gaza, including 16.5 tonnes of medical supplies. The Indian government also contributed $10 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) over the past two years and dispatched another 65 tonnes of medical materials.
India has condemned the terror attacks on Israel from October 7, 2023, expressing concern for casualties on both sides. Reiterated the MEA, India upholds its longstanding policy supporting a negotiated two-state solution, advocating for Palestine’s membership in the United Nations.
Historically, India’s support for Palestinian rights has roots entrenched within its independence struggles. Mahatma Gandhi, back in 1938, stated, “Palestine belongs to the Arabs in the same sense England belongs to the English.” Following its independence, India consistently aligned itself with the Palestinian cause, even opposing the UN's partition plan for Palestine as the only non-Arab nation at the time and vetoing Israel’s admission to the UN two years later.
India's diplomatic relationship with Israel began later, only recognizing the Jewish state formally in 1950. Throughout the 1970s, India exhibited solidarity with Arab nations and the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO), establishing diplomatic relations with the PLO and being one of the first non-Arab nations to recognize the Palestinian state in 1988.
This stance began to shift post-Cold War as India reassessed its foreign policy, establishing formal diplomatic relations with Israel by 1992. It simultaneously maintained strong public ties with Palestinian leaders such as Yasser Arafat, reflecting India’s dual commitment to both Palestine and Israel. Despite increasing ties to Israel, such as military cooperation and trade exceeding five billion USD, India continues to express support for Palestinian resolutions, including voting against Israeli settlements.
By 2014, under Prime Minister Modi’s government, India’s strategy revealed notable changes, aligning more closely with Israel. Modi became the first Indian prime minister to visit only Israel, breaking with tradition by not visiting Palestine during his trip. Nevertheless, the government positioned itself as supportive of Palestinian rights; debates within the Indian Parliament frequently reaffirm the historical solidarity with Palestine.
Public sentiment for Palestinian solidarity has also been reflected on the ground. On December 16, 2024, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra attracted attention by carrying a handbag emblazoned with “Palestine,” symbolizing her commitment to justice. Her stance sparked mixed reactions from political circles, highlighting the tension between India's historical commitment to the Palestinian cause and the strategic prowess sought under the current leadership.
Vadra had previously criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s actions as “genocidal” and “barbaric,” marking her strong advocacy for Palestinian rights. Although the BJP accused her of “appeasement politics,” there remains significant debate around India’s foreign policy focus.
Despite the current tensions, India reiterated calls for peace, backing UN Security Council resolutions demanding ceasefires and recognizing the humanitarian crisis results from the Israel-Hamas conflict. Ruchira Kamboj, India’s Permanent Representative at the UN, described the humanitarian crisis as “unacceptable,” maintaining India's commitment to a balanced approach friendly to both Palestine and Israel.
With the geopolitical climate continuously shifting, India remains at the crossroad, advocating for peace, humanitarian aid, and the rights of Palestinians, alongside maintaining its strategic interests with Israel. It underlines India’s complex relationship with the Middle East, where historical narrative and current policies create considerable discussions about the future of the Palestinian cause, all the whilst reinforcing India's dedication to dialogue and resolution.
