India backs Palestine’s UN membership, announces new projects at Donor Group meet in Brussels

India reaffirmed its support for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict and announced a fresh package of development projects for Palestine, including initiatives in healthcare, education, rehabilitation and vocational training, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) informed on Tuesday.

Representing India at the second Ministerial Meeting of the Palestine Donor Group (PDG) in Brussels on July 13, Secretary (CPV & OIA) in the MEA Sripriya Ranganathan reiterated New Delhi's longstanding support for the Palestinian people and backed Palestine's membership of the United Nations.

Addressing the meeting, jointly organised by the European Commission and the Palestinian Authority, Ranganathan said India's development partnership with Palestine remained demand-driven and focused on healthcare, education, capacity building and vocational training.

She said India was already implementing major projects in healthcare, women's empowerment and institution building in Palestine, and announced several new initiatives aimed at strengthening rehabilitation, health, education and vocational training.

Reaffirming India's commitment to humanitarian assistance, Ranganathan said New Delhi remained a steadfast development partner of Palestine and continued to contribute towards addressing the humanitarian needs of its people.

During her visit to Brussels, she also attended a meeting hosted by the incoming Chair of the Advisory Commission of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), where she reiterated India's continued support for the agency and its work in Palestine.

The Palestine Donor Group meeting brought together representatives from the European Union, its member states, Palestine, international partners and financial institutions to discuss support for the Palestinian Authority and humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people.

India has consistently supported a negotiated two-state solution leading to the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine living side by side with Israel in peace and security, while continuing its development partnership and humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people.