India urges a practical two-state solution at UN conference | Fusion - WeRIndia

India has urged the international community to take real and practical steps to achieve a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.

It stated that symbolic promises or “paper solutions” are no longer enough.

India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, spoke at the UN High-Level Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine.

He said there must be meaningful diplomacy. He also stressed that both sides must talk to each other directly.

Harish noted that the international community continues to view the two-state solution as the only viable path to lasting peace in the region.

He said the time had come to translate support into concrete actions, stressing that dialogue, diplomacy, and confidence-building between Israel and Palestine must take centre stage.

The ambassador emphasised that practical steps must include an immediate ceasefire, unimpeded humanitarian aid, the release of all hostages, and the initiation of direct dialogue.

These, he said, are non-negotiable in the current context. Harish also highlighted India’s longstanding support for Palestine, recalling that India was among the first countries to recognise the State of Palestine in 1988.

India expressed grave concern over the ongoing human suffering in Gaza, citing tens of thousands of deaths, the destruction of healthcare infrastructure, and the prolonged closure of schools.

Harish said Palestinians must have unhindered access to essential resources such as food, fuel, and medicine, and reiterated that humanitarian aid should remain separate from political agendas.

He also emphasised the need for a stable security arrangement that would address the concerns of both sides, stating that neither party should be made to feel insecure.

A sovereign, viable, and independent State of Palestine, living side by side with Israel in peace and security, was described as the foundation for long-term stability and development.

India further highlighted its contribution of around USD 160 million toward human-centric development projects in Palestine.

Harish stressed the importance of creating economic structures that offer hope, employment, and long-term viability for a future Palestinian state.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres echoed similar sentiments, warning against the dangers of a one-state reality and affirming that Palestinian statehood is a right, not a reward.

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