India Calls For Two-State Solution During NAM Ministerial Session

India's Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh addressed the NAM Ministerial Committee on Palestine on the sidelines of the 19th Mid-Term Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement, expressing gratitude to the Chair for organizing the session and harking back to the committee's inception under India's presidency at the 1983 NAM Summit in New Delhi, while outlining a consistent stance on the escalating crisis since October 7, 2023, that includes unequivocal condemnation of terrorism, calls for an immediate end to civilian suffering and destruction in Gaza, unhindered access to essential supplies like food and fuel, the release of hostages, and an urgent ceasefire to pave the way for meaningful dialogue.

Singh emphasized India's historical solidarity with Palestine, noting that as one of the earliest nations to recognize the State of Palestine, the country upholds the Palestinian people's inalienable rights to self-determination, independence, and sovereignty, asserting that only a negotiated two-state solution—envisioning a sovereign, viable Palestinian state coexisting peacefully with Israel within secure borders—can deliver lasting peace and prosperity in the Middle East, with diplomacy and dialogue as indispensable tools to achieve this goal amid the far-reaching repercussions of the ongoing conflict that have deprived innocent civilians of normal lives and inflicted unnecessary deaths.

Highlighting India's actions as a reflection of its principles, the minister detailed extensive development cooperation and humanitarian aid extended to Palestinians, spanning sectors such as health, education, institution-building, and women's empowerment to enhance daily lives, with specific post-October 2023 contributions amounting to nearly 135 metric tons of medicines and supplies, alongside annual financial backing of USD 5 million to UNRWA's core budget and an additional USD 40 million in upcoming projects focused on education and health initiatives.

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Amid signs of progress in global and regional efforts, Singh pointed to rekindled hopes through UN frameworks and recent diplomatic breakthroughs, including his participation as Prime Minister's Special Envoy at the Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Summit, where he welcomed the first phase of President Trump's peace plan, commending the United States' leadership while applauding NAM members Egypt and Qatar for their pivotal mediation roles in securing the agreement, urging all parties to honor commitments to maintain calm and build toward subsequent phases that could transform the region's trajectory.

Concluding on a forward-looking note, Singh pledged India's ongoing constructive contributions to fostering a peaceful and stable Middle East, vowing continued collaboration with NAM partners to realize this shared vision and support the Palestinian cause through sustained partnership and proactive engagement in the peace process.

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