New Delhi: Speaking ahead of the 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting, Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin on Thursday said India was well placed to act as a mediator between Israel and Palestine, pointing to New Delhi’s sustained political backing and development assistance for the Palestinian people.
Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, she said Palestine viewed India’s stance on international law and the two-state solution as 'clear'. “India, a great nation, has stood with the Palestinian people,” Shahin said Palestine recognises India’s strategic interests and its relationships with both Israel and the Arab world. Aghabekian expressed confidence that New Delhi could contribute to ending the conflict, the occupation, and the continuing war in Gaza citing New Delhi’s friendships with both sides and its long-standing support for Palestine.
Speaking about conditions in the enclave, she alleged that 82 per cent of Gaza’s infrastructure had been destroyed and that more than 72,000 people had lost their lives. “What happened in Gaza was seen live on television. This situation is unacceptable,” she said, alleging serious violations of international law.
“If we had 60% of the population of the Gaza Strip as refugees before 2023, I can assure you today everyone is a refugee in Gaza, or they have lost everything. So, the expectations from India are enormous and we hope that India will come and do whatever it takes as it has done in the past,” she said.
Aghabekian thanked India for its development assistance, especially in the fields of education, healthcare and social infrastructure. She pointed to Indian-supported schools across the West Bank, aid to hospitals and specialised medical centres, and support for multipurpose facilities such as sports and recreation centres for Palestinian children. On the diplomatic front, she noted India’s backing for the Palestinian Diplomatic Institute, which is close to completion and is expected to enhance training and exchanges for Palestinian diplomats.
Emphasising expectations from New Delhi, Shahin said Palestine is looking to India to play an active role in Gaza’s reconstruction and in supporting the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). She underlined the significance of India’s contribution to rebuilding the Gaza Strip, citing estimates that up to $110 billion will be required to reconstruct the densely populated enclave after the Israeli bombardment. India increased its annual funding for the UN agency from 1.25 million dollars to 5 million dollars in 2018.
Addressing reports of Hamas having links with Pakistan based militant groups, Shahin said Palestine condemns all forms of violence and any association with actors that promote it. “We in Palestine espouse non-violence and we espouse international law, period,” she said.
On US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace initiative, Shahin said India must assess the proposal in light of its own interests as a global power and decide whether it aligns with its aspirations. The Board’s charter, which does not explicitly refer to Gaza, outlines a broad mandate for a new international organisation. Notably several countries, including some Gulf states, Pakistan, Hungary and Vietnam, have accepted the initiative, while many European nations have expressed reservations or declined to join. India has received an invitation but has yet not decided on joining it.
Shahin’s visit comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to travel to Israel in February. Israeli Ambassador to India Reuven Azar confirmed on Wednesday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally invited Modi and that preparations for the visit are underway.
