India Reaffirms Commitment to Two-State Solution as Path to Middle East Peace

Kirti Vardhan Singh addressed the NAM Ministerial Committee on Palestine in Kampala, Uganda, reaffirming India's steadfast support for the Palestinian cause and Middle East peace initiatives.

During the Meeting of the NAM Ministerial Committee on Palestine, held alongside the 19th Mid-Term Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement, Minister of State for External Affairs and Environment, Forest and Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh expressed India's unwavering commitment to peace in the region.

Singh began by expressing gratitude to the Chair for organizing the meeting and highlighted that the NAM Ministerial Committee on Palestine was initially established during India's Presidency at the 1983 NAM Summit in New Delhi.

Addressing the ongoing conflict since October 7, 2023, Singh firmly stated, "We condemned terrorism and have held that the destruction, despair and suffering of civilians must end; Gaza must have access to food, fuel and other necessities without hindrance; Hostages must be released; and ceasefire must be in place immediately."

Singh emphasized that India's stance on Palestine is deeply rooted in historical solidarity with Palestinian rights. He noted, "As one of the first countries to recognise the State of Palestine, we reaffirm the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination, national independence, and sovereignty."

Regarding a path forward, Singh asserted that negotiation remains the only viable solution for sustainable peace. "Our ultimate objective remains a negotiated two-State solution, which is the only path to achieve lasting peace and overall prosperity. The essential parameters are clear -- a sovereign, independent, viable State of Palestine, living side by side in peace and security with Israel, within secure and recognized borders. Dialogue and diplomacy remain the best means to realize this."

The Minister detailed India's concrete support for Palestinians through development cooperation and humanitarian assistance. "We have sought to improve the daily lives of the Palestinian brothers and sisters. We have been extending development cooperation and humanitarian assistance to them. Our projects range from health to education; from institution-building to women's empowerment and more."

Singh highlighted India's recent humanitarian efforts, stating, "Since October 2023 alone, India has provided relief assistance of nearly 135 metric tons of medicines and supplies. These direct efforts are bolstered through our financial support for UNRWA to implement projects, particularly in education and health. We contribute USD 5 million annually to the core budget of UNRWA and projects worth USD 40 million are in the pipeline."

Commenting on the regional situation since October 2023, Singh observed that the conflict has had extensive repercussions across the Middle East. He emphasized that "innocent civilians have the right to lead normal lives. They cannot continue to remain deprived; they must not die due to conflict."

Singh expressed optimism about recent diplomatic developments, noting, "We gather at a time when hopes have been rekindled. I was in Sharm el-Sheikh for the Peace Summit as the Special Envoy of the Prime Minister of India. India welcomes the agreement on the first phase of President Trump's peace plan and commends the initiative and efforts of the US and President Trump."

He acknowledged the crucial diplomatic roles played by regional stakeholders, adding, "In addition, we also express our appreciation to the leadership of two NAM members, Egypt and Qatar, which played an instrumental role in realizing the agreement. We hope that the first phase will serve as the initial step towards achieving these ends."

Singh urged all parties involved to honor their commitments for peace to prevail. "At this juncture, it is important for peace and calm to hold. Everyone must honour their respective commitments. This could set the stage for subsequent follow-up steps."

In conclusion, the Minister reaffirmed India's readiness to contribute meaningfully to the peace process and its ongoing partnership with NAM members. "Moving ahead, India is willing to contribute towards the vision of realizing a peaceful and stable Middle East. India also pledges to continue to work constructively with its NAM partners towards this end."