General Assembly Informal Discussions

Humanitarian Situation in Palestine

20.11.2023; 1000 hours

INTERVENTION BY AMBASSADOR RUCHIRA KAMBOJ

AMBASSADOR & PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF INDIA TO UN IN NEW YORK

Mr. President,

I would like to thank you for convening this meeting today, and I wish to thank all the briefers for providing us with an update on the humanitarian situation prevailing in Gaza.

Mr. President,

India welcomes all efforts by the international community that strive towards a de-escalation of the conflict and enables the delivery of urgent humanitarian assistance to the people of Palestine. The message from our leaders has been clear and consistent – we are firmly opposed to terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, clearly against violence and are on the side of adherence to international humanitarian law and ensuring that further escalation is prevented, humanitarian aid delivery continues, all hostages are released unconditionally and all parties work towards an early restoration of peace and stability. Towards this, we also welcome efforts for humanitarian pauses.

We are also firm in our commitment to provide humanitarian aid to the people of Palestine and have already delivered 70 tonnes of disaster relief materials including 17 tonnes of medicines and medical supplies in two tranches and our humanitarian support continues. Similarly, India continues to play an active role as Member of the Advisory Commission of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) .

Mr. President,

Let me conclude by underlining India’s consistent position of achieving a just, peaceful and lasting solution to the Israel-Palestine issue. India has always advocated the resumption of direct negotiations towards establishing a sovereign, independent and viable state of Palestine living within secure and recognized borders side by side at peace with Israel.

I thank you.