India at UN lauds Trump’s Gaza ceasefire deal, urges sustained talks, supports Palestinian rights, highlights aid to Gaza, Syria, Yemen, and peacekeeping roles in UNDOF and UNIFIL
India at the United Nations on Thursday called US President Donald Trump’s Gaza ceasefire deal a “landmark initiative” and emphasised that the “talks must continue” for the agreement to hold.
Indian envoy to the UN Parvathaneni Harish said: “Today’s Open Debate comes in the backdrop of the Gaza Peace Summit at Sharm el-Sheikh on October 13, 2025. India participated in the Summit and we welcomed the signing of the landmark Peace Agreement.”
“Peace and calm on the Palestinian front have implications for the wider region. India stands for lasting peace in the entire Middle East. It is important for the Agreement to hold and the ceasefire to sustain and for the parties to honour their respective commitments. Talks must continue, and there must be abiding faith in the efficacy of dialogue and diplomacy…,” he said.
He lauded Trump for playing an “instrumental role in forging the Agreement”. “India also commends the role of Egypt and Qatar towards achieving this end. India remains firm in its view that dialogue and diplomacy and the two-state solution are the means to achieve peace. The landmark initiative of the United States has generated diplomatic momentum towards peace and all parties must adhere to their obligations. We also remain firmly opposed to any unilateral moves by parties concerned.”
#WATCH | Permanent Representative of India to the UN, Parvathaneni Harish’s complete address at the UNSC Open Debate on Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question
(Source: India at UN, NY/X) pic.twitter.com/6tALQ0MSJ5
— ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2025
Pointing out India is committed to its stance on developments since October 7, 2023, the Indian envoy said: “India has condemned terrorism; stressed there must be an end to destruction, despair and suffering of civilians and sought the immediate release of all hostages; held that humanitarian assistance must flow into Gaza in an unimpeded manner; and emphasised the need for a ceasefire. India envisions the Peace Agreement as an enabler and a catalyst in this regard.”
He emphasised that India underscores its “unwavering support to the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination, national independence, and sovereignty”.
“Since India’s recognition of the State of Palestine in 1988, India has consistently advocated certain critical parameters – a sovereign, independent, viable State of Palestine, living side by side in peace and security with Israel, within secure and recognised borders… Aid is essential for rehabilitation and reconstruction. Palestinian people cannot rebuild their lives without the support of the international community… The total support by India to the Palestinian people is over USD 170 million, which includes projects worth USD 40 million in various stages of implementation,” Harish said.
He further said: “… We have implemented human-centric projects bilaterally and also partnered with the UN and the Palestinian Authority in this regard. Over the last two years, India has provided relief assistance of nearly 135 metric tons of medicines and supplies. These initiatives must be coupled with the creation of economic frameworks and mechanisms that are conducive for social development, investment and employment.”
Speaking on the Middle East situation, the envoy said that the humanitarian challenges are an important dimension and it is important to address these on priority.
“India’s commitment in this regard is also manifested in its supply of 5 metric tons of essential medicines to the friendly people of Syria as recently as July 2025. India continues to stress a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process. While taking positive note of progressive normalisation of Syria’s relations with its Arab neighbours, India also pledges its support to the regional efforts towards finding a long-term solution in Syria,” he said.
He added: “Indian troops in UNDOF remained steadfast in executing their mandate even during extreme challenges experienced during the recent conflict, including supreme sacrifice by Acting Force Commander Brigadier General Amitabh Jha in December 2024. India is the third largest contributor to this Mission.”
The Permanent Representative of India to the UN pointed out the importance of safety and security of peacekeepers at the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
“At a broader level, the peacekeepers serve a very critical function of the UN, and they cannot become casualties of conflicts and escalations. India remains hopeful that the Lebanese Armed Forces will be equipped to discharge the entire spectrum of its responsibilities once the UNIFIL sunset clause becomes operational towards the end of 2026″ he said.
