At a high-level conference of the United Nations, India made a clear call for turning global commitment to the Israel-Palestine issue into practical action. Speaking on July 29, 2025, at the UN General Assembly, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Parvathaneni Harish, stressed that the focus must now shift from mere declarations to actually enabling a two-state solution through genuine dialogue and diplomacy.
The conference, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, was centered on the peaceful resolution of the Palestinian issue and implementing the long-promised two-state solution. Harish noted that although the world agrees on the need for such a solution, what’s missing are the real steps to get there. “We should no longer be satisfied with solutions on paper,” he said. “Our aim should be to make a visible difference in the daily lives of Palestinians.”
India laid out a series of steps it believes are urgently needed: a ceasefire in Gaza, uninterrupted humanitarian aid, the release of all hostages, and a return to dialogue. Harish reminded the Assembly that India was one of the first countries to recognize the State of Palestine back in 1988 and has consistently supported a peaceful and just resolution.
He underlined the severe humanitarian toll of the ongoing conflict in Gaza countless civilian deaths, damaged hospitals, and schools that have remained shut for more than 20 months. “The suffering in Gaza is staggering,” he said. “Children have been out of school for nearly two years, and families struggle daily for essentials like food and fuel.”
India called on all sides to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches people without obstacles, asserting that such aid should never become a tool in political battles. Harish emphasized that both the plight of civilians and the hostages must not be overlooked. He reiterated that terrorism has no justification, regardless of political grievances.
The conference also produced a document, the New York Declaration, that called for an immediate end to the war in Gaza. It demanded Hamas hand over control to the Palestinian Authority and release all hostages. The declaration proposed forming a temporary administrative body for Gaza, under the authority of the Palestinian leadership, once the ceasefire is in place.
India also spoke about the need for long-term rebuilding, not just of infrastructure, but of hope. Harish said a future Palestinian state must be viable, economically strong, and able to offer its people meaningful employment. India has already committed around $160 million toward development projects in Palestine, focusing on health, education, and public services.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres, addressing the same gathering, echoed India’s concerns. He warned that denying Palestinians their statehood risks fuelling extremism. “Statehood is a right, not a prize,” he said, challenging those who oppose the two-state path to explain their alternative. “Occupation and inequality are not peace,” he declared.
India closed its statement with a strong reminder: the road to lasting peace in the Middle East demands real, people-focused solutions, not more speeches.
