India backs Palestine's UN membership, advocates 2-state solution for peace

Ruchira Kamboj/ Screengrab

India has renewed its support for Palestine's full membership in the United Nations (UN), stating that only a two-state solution reached via direct negotiations will bring long-term peace to the region.

During a UN General Assembly session, India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ruchira Kamboj, declared that India voted in favour of a resolution calling for Palestine's admission as a full UN member. She emphasised India's historic support for Palestine's UN membership and asked the Security Council to view Palestine's application favourably, reported the Associated Press.

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According to the report, the resolution was overwhelmingly supported by the General Assembly, with India voting in favour among 142 other countries. It suggested that the Security Council reconsider Palestine's membership status.

"In keeping with our longstanding position, we support the membership of Palestine at the UN and, therefore, we have voted in favour of this Resolution," India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ruchira Kamboj, told the UN General Assembly on Monday.

"We hope that Palestine's application would be reconsidered by the Security Council in due course and that Palestine's endeavour to become a member of the UN will get endorsed," she said.

Palestine now holds the status of a non-member observer state at the United Nations, which was awarded in 2012 and allows participation in proceedings without voting rights.

According to the AP report, Kamboj highlighted India's support for a two-state solution that guarantees the Palestinian people's freedom inside secure boundaries while also addressing Israel's security requirements. She urged both parties to resume direct peace talks immediately.

"India is committed to supporting a two-state solution where the Palestinian people are able to live freely in an independent country within secure borders, with due regard to the security needs of Israel. To arrive at a lasting solution, we urge all parties to foster conditions conducive to resuming direct peace negotiations at an early date," she said.

Per the AP report, India decried the loss of civilian lives in the Gaza conflict and reiterated its opposition to terrorism. Kamboj advocated for additional humanitarian help to ameliorate the severe situation in Gaza, citing India's commitment to Palestinian humanitarian assistance.

"We have strongly condemned the deaths of civilians in the conflict," Kamboj said and added, "There can be no justification for terrorism and hostage-taking. India has a longstanding and uncompromising position against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and we demand the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages."

India has a long history of support for Palestine, having been one of the first non-Arab powers to recognise the Palestine Liberation Organisation and the State of Palestine. It continues to push for Palestine's full UN membership.

In April, Palestine revived its application for full UN membership, which requires approval from both the Security Council and the General Assembly. The US previously vetoed a Security Council resolution supporting Palestine's full UN membership, whereas India continues to back Palestine's goals, the AP report added.