NEW YORK, July 1 (ANI) — India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Parvathaneni Harish, said Tuesday that India has provided more than $175 million in development and humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people while reaffirming its support for a negotiated two-state solution.
Speaking at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) Pledging Conference, Harish said India remains committed to supporting Palestinian refugees and recently pledged an additional $5 million to the agency.
“UNRWA plays a vital role in assisting Palestine refugees. India has provided over USD 175 million in assistance, including development and humanitarian support to the Palestinian people. India remains a committed contributor to UNRWA, including a recent USD 5 million pledge,” Harish said.
He reiterated India’s longstanding support for a negotiated two-state solution leading to “the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine, living within secure and recognized borders, side by side with Israel in peace and security.”
Harish said the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire despite the reduction in hostilities across the region.
“While the guns may have fallen silent in West Asia, the situation remains disturbingly fragile. In particular, the suffering of the Palestinian people, especially in Gaza, continues unabated,” he said.
He cited the loss of civilian lives, widespread displacement, destruction of civilian infrastructure, and severe shortages of food, fuel, medicines, and other essential services as contributing to a major humanitarian crisis.
“Normalcy is a distant dream for the Palestinian people. This must change. They have the same right to lead normal lives that the rest of us have,” Harish said.
The ambassador said India’s engagement with UNRWA is guided by its steadfast support for the Palestinian people and efforts to address their humanitarian needs and long-term aspirations.
He noted that India has undertaken several people-centric development projects and that approximately $40 million worth of projects are currently at various stages of implementation.
Harish also said India has supplied about 150 metric tons of humanitarian assistance, including emergency and general-use medicines, to Palestine over the past three years.
He added that India has received a request from Palestine for life-saving medicines and will deliver the supplies soon.
“We treat UNRWA as a development partner, complementing our own bilateral initiatives towards realizing our vision,” Harish said.
Reaffirming India’s position, Harish said the country continues to support a negotiated two-state solution that would establish “a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine, living within secure and recognized borders, side by side with Israel in peace and security.”
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