Jerusalem: India has once again endorsed a negotiated two-state framework for resolving the Israel-Palestine conflict and reiterated its enduring support for the Palestinian people, External Affairs Ministry Secretary Sripriya Ranganathan said on Tuesday, PTI reported.
Ranganathan, who serves as Secretary for Consular, Passport and Visa and Overseas Indian Affairs, is currently on an official tour of Egypt, Palestine and Lebanon from August 16 to 21.
As part of her visit, she met Palestinian Foreign Minister and Expatriates Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin and conveyed New Delhi’s deep concern over the worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza.
“Amb Sripriya Ranganathan called on Varsen Aghabekian Shahin, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Palestine. The two sides reviewed the full spectrum of India-Palestine bilateral relations, including their extensive development cooperation initiatives,” the Representative Office of India to Palestine said in a post on X.
“India reiterated its longstanding support for a negotiated two-State solution, and underscored the importance of addressing the humanitarian situation in Gaza through sustained humanitarian assistance and continued dialogue and diplomacy,” it added.
India has consistently advocated a settlement under which Israel and Palestine coexist peacefully and securely within recognised borders, in accordance with international law.
The meeting covered the entire range of bilateral ties, with particular attention to the evolving situation in Palestine, the conflict in Gaza, urgent humanitarian needs and India’s long-standing development partnership with the Palestinian people, according to an official statement.
Ranganathan reaffirmed “India’s consistent support for the Palestinian people and a negotiated two-State solution,” the statement said.
She also reiterated “India’s support for efforts towards peace and stability and for a lasting political resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.”
The two sides reviewed India-backed programmes in key sectors, including healthcare, education and capacity building.
Shahin also recalled her visit to India in January and conveyed her appreciation for New Delhi’s sustained assistance through development initiatives, capacity-building programmes, scholarships, humanitarian support and contributions to Palestinian institutions and United Nations agencies.