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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4749
ANSWERED ON - 20/03/2026
INDIA’S STAND ON ISRAEL AND PALESTINE ISSUE
4749. SHRI SELVAGANAPATHI T.M.
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has assured Israel of its firm support and
has also supported the Gaza Peace Initiative during the recent visit of
Prime Minister of India to Israel, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether India had stayed out of a statement issued at a joint press
conference of diplomats from more than 85 countries at the United
Nations on 17.2.2026, criticizing Israel’s plans to tighten control of
territory in the West Bank, if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether a day after India skipped a joint appearance with other
countries at the United Nations to condemn Israel for its plans for West
Bank settlement, India signed a joint statement on 18.2.2026, if so, the
details thereof;
(d) whether India attended the Board of Peace meeting held in
Washington D.C. as an observer, if so, the details thereof; and
1(e) whether India still stood for a sovereign, independent and viable
State of Palestine based on 1967 borders, if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a to e) Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi paid a State visit to Israel on
February 25-26, 2026. During the visit, Prime Minister reaffirmed India’s
support for the Gaza Peace Plan, which has been endorsed by the UN
Security Council.
India's position towards Palestine has been long-standing. India remains
committed to advancing a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the
region. In consonance with our position, India associated itself with the
joint statement at the United Nations.
India attended the Board of Peace meeting held at the U.S. Institute of
Peace in Washington, D.C., USA on 19 February 2026 as an Observer. 26
countries participated as Members in the meeting, while 22 countries,
including India, participated as Observers. Full list of participating
countries is placed at Annexure-I.
2Annexure-I
List of participants in the inaugural Board of Peace meeting
(19 February 2026, Washington D.C.)
Members
1. Albania
2. Argentina
3. Armenia
4. Azerbaijan
5. Bahrain
6. Bulgaria
7. Cambodia
8. Egypt
9. El Salvador
10. Hungary
11. Indonesia
12. Israel
13. Jordan
14. Kazakhstan
15. Kosovo
16. Kuwait
17. Mongolia
18. Morocco
19. Pakistan
20. Paraguay
21. Qatar
22. Saudi Arabia
23. Turkey
24. United Arab Emirates
25. Uzbekistan
26. Vietnam
3Observers
1. Austria
2. Croatia
3. Cyprus
4. Czech Republic
5. European Union
6. Finland
7. Germany
8. Greece
9. India
10. Italy
11. Japan
12. Mexico
13. Netherlands
14. Norway
15. Oman
16. Poland
17. South Korea
18. Romania
19. Slovakia
20. Switzerland
21. Thailand
22. United Kingdom
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