Executive Summary:
This document outlines India's stance on Palestine, detailing financial, developmental, and diplomatic assistance extended over the last five years. It addresses India's diplomatic position on the humanitarian crisis and conflict in Gaza, including condemnation of terror attacks and loss of civilian lives. India supports a two-state solution and Palestine's UN membership, emphasizing humanitarian aid and peaceful resolution through dialogue.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Diplomatic Position:**
* Supports a negotiated two-state solution with a sovereign, independent, and viable State of Palestine, living peacefully alongside Israel.
* Supports Palestine's membership in the UN.
* Condemned terror attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, and the loss of civilian lives in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
* Called for a ceasefire, release of all hostages, and peaceful conflict resolution through dialogue and diplomacy.
* Emphasized the need for safe, timely, and sustained humanitarian assistance to the people of Palestine.
* **Humanitarian Assistance:**
* Extends assistance bilaterally and through UNRWA.
* Provided approximately 70 MT of humanitarian aid since the conflict began, including 16.5 MT of medicines and medical supplies in October and November 2023.
* Sent 65 MT of medicines to UNRWA and the Palestine Ministry of Health in October and November 2024.
* **Financial and Developmental Assistance:**
* Completed projects worth USD 26 million in Palestine over the last five years.
* Supports capacity building and human resource development through ITEC and ICCR scholarships.
* Contributed USD 27.5 million to UNRWA since 2020-21.
Impact Analysis:
* **Government of India:**
* *Impact:* Continues to be a key provider of financial, developmental, and humanitarian aid to Palestine, and a vocal supporter of a two-state solution.
* *Action Required:* Maintain and potentially increase aid based on the evolving situation, and continue diplomatic efforts to promote peaceful resolution.
* **People of Palestine:**
* *Impact:* Benefit from India's humanitarian aid, developmental projects, and diplomatic support for their statehood.
* *Action Required:* Continue to engage with international efforts aimed at resolving the conflict and building a sustainable future.
* **United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA):**
* *Impact:* Receives significant financial contributions and medical supplies from India to support its operations in assisting Palestinian refugees.
* *Action Required:* Effectively utilize the provided resources to deliver aid and services to those in need.
* **Israeli Government:**
* *Impact:* While India supports a two-state solution and has condemned attacks on Israel, the emphasis on Palestinian statehood and humanitarian aid could be perceived as a call for concessions.
* *Action Required:* Engage in dialogue and diplomacy to address the conflict and work towards a peaceful resolution.
Key Entities Referenced
Palestine: A State in the Middle East, focus of Indian assistance and diplomatic efforts.
Gaza: A city in Palestine, experiencing a humanitarian crisis and alleged war crimes.
Israel: A country in the Middle East, involved in conflict with Hamas.
Hamas: A Palestinian organization involved in conflict with Israel.
United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA): A United Nations agency providing assistance to Palestinian refugees; recipient of Indian contributions.
Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC): An Indian program that supports capacity building and human resource development of Palestine.
ICCR: An Indian Council for Cultural Relations scholarship program for Palestine.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question regarding India's stance on Palestine was raised.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 3423
ANSWERED ON - 08/08/2025
INDIA’S STANDS ON THE PALESTINE
3423. SHRI AGA SYED RUHULLAH MEHDI
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) the details of financial, development and diplomatic assistance
extended by India to Palestine over the last five years; and
(b) the diplomatic position adopted by India on the ongoing humanitarian
crisis and alleged war crimes in Gaza?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a & b) India has always supported a negotiated two State solution,
towards establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable State of
Palestine within secure and recognized borders, living side by side in
peace with Israel. India also supports Palestine’s membership of the UN.
1India has strongly condemned the terror attacks on Israel on 7 October
2023 and also the loss of civilian lives in the ongoing Israel-Hamas
conflict. India remains concerned at the security situation and has
called for a ceasefire, release of all hostages and peaceful resolution of
conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. India emphasized the need for
safe, timely and sustained delivery of humanitarian assistance to the
people of Palestine.
India extends humanitarian assistance to the people of Palestine both
bilaterally and through United Nations Relief and Works Agency
(UNRWA). Since the beginning of the conflict, India has provided around
70 MT of humanitarian aid, including 16.5 MT of medicines and medical
supplies in 2 tranches in October and November 2023. India has also
sent 65 MT of medicines to UNRWA and Palestine Ministry of Health in
October and November 2024. List of medicines is at Annexure-I.
Over the last five years, India has completed projects worth USD 26
million in Palestine. India supports capacity building and human
resource development of Palestine through Indian Technical and
Economic Cooperation (ITEC) and ICCR scholarships every year. India
has also contributed USD 27.5 million to UNRWA since 2020-21. Details
of India’s annual contribution to UNRWA since 2020-21 are at Annexure-
II.
2Annexure-I
S.No. List of Medicines supplied to Palestine
1. Ibuprofen
2. Adalimumab
3. Azithromycin
4. 5- Flurouracil
5. Fulvestrant
6. Bevacizumab
7. Bevacizumab
8. Bendamustine
9. Peg Aspargase
10. Docetaxel
11. Gemcitabine
12. Vincristine Sulphate
13. Rasburicase
14. Abiraterone Acetate
15. Amiodarone 1
16. Calamine +Zincoxide
17. Suxamethonium Hcl
18. Vecuronium
19. Budenoside + Formoterol Inhaler
320. Budenoside Inhaler
21. Alfacalcidol Cap
22. Glycin 1
23. Ultrasound Gel
24. Citric Acid
25. Clopidogrel
26. Loratadine
27. Allopurinol
28. Amitriptyline tablet
29. Amoxycillin
30. Azithromycin
31. Azithromycin
32. Carbamazepine
33. Cefuroxime
34. DepoMedroxy progesterone acetate
35. Digoxin
36. Famotidine
37. Fluconazole
38. Frusemide
39. Haloperidol
40. Ibuprofen
441. Losartan Potassium
42. Metformin Hydrochloride
43. Methyldopa
44. Metronidazole
45. Miconazole nitrate
46. Paracetamol
47. Prednisolone
48. Risperidone
49. Sodium valproate
50. Zinc sulphate
51. Medical equipment, medical supplies and surgical kits
5Annexure-II
India’s contribution to UNRWA since 2020-21
2020-21 5 million
2021-22 5 million
2022-23 5 million
2023-24 5 million
2024-25 5 million
2025-26 (till now) 2.5 million
*****
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