NEW DELHI: India emphasizes the urgency of resuming direct peace talks between Palestine and Israel without delay.
The absence of such negotiations and the absence of a clear political roadmap for a peaceful resolution to the conflict carry consequences for both Palestine and Israel, according to a high-ranking official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Speaking at a program held on the sidelines of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) ministerial meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Wednesday, the official underscored this point.

"We have consistently stressed that only through a negotiated two-state solution, which addresses Israel's legitimate security concerns while leading to the establishment of a sovereign, independent, and viable Palestinian state, can we achieve enduring peace," stated Sanjay Verma, Secretary (West).  "In this context, we reiterate the urgent need for the resumption of direct peace talks between the involved parties, addressing all final status matters," he added.

Verma appealed to both parties to refrain from violence and "avoid unilateral actions on the ground that undermine the feasibility of the two-state solution and deepen the trust deficit between them."

Delivering India's statement at the Non-Aligned Movement's Ministerial Committee on Palestine during the Coordinating Bureau's Ministerial Meeting, the senior official expressed, "India and Palestine share a longstanding relationship founded on deep-rooted historical and people-to-people connections."

Furthermore, Verma highlighted the severe economic and humanitarian challenges faced by Palestinians.  "It is crucial to prioritize the unhindered provision of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian civilian population. To this end, India supports the efforts of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA)," Verma affirmed.

He also expressed appreciation for the agency's endeavors to enhance transparency in its operations and adherence to humanitarian standards set by the United Nations. Verma urged UNRWA to exercise utmost diligence to ensure that aid is solely utilized for its intended purposes.

"Over the years, India has consistently been a committed development partner for Palestine, supporting its nation-building endeavors. We are actively engaged in providing technical and developmental assistance to enhance the lives of the Palestinian people. Our developmental support will continue," he affirmed.

Verma further emphasized India's unwavering commitment to supporting all initiatives aimed at resuming direct negotiations between Israel and Palestine, with the goal of achieving a two-state solution. The official reiterated that lasting peace in the region can only be achieved through a peaceful settlement of the Palestinian question.

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