Amid renewed tensions between Israel and Palestine, India has called for the Middle East peace process to be brought back on track.
Addressing the UN Security Council meeting on Middle East, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs Vikas Swarup urged all parties to deescalate the situation and refrain from acts of provocation. "The peace process can no longer be kept on the back burner, he said, underscoring the need for immediate resumption of direct negotiations between Israel and Palestine.
Reiterating India's long-standing position, Swarup said that New Delhi is committed to a 2-state solution and emphasised that an independent state of Palestine is the only lasting solution to the crisis in the region.
India also called for immediate humanitarian aid to Gaza that has been battered by Israeli strikes.