Mon Sep 23 08:12:30 UTC 2024: ## India Reaffirms Support for Palestine Amidst Gaza Crisis

**New York, September 22, 2023:** Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, expressing deep concern over the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and reaffirming India’s unwavering support for the Palestinian people.

During the meeting, PM Modi reiterated India’s long-standing position on the Israel-Palestine issue, calling for a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and a return to dialogue and diplomacy. He stressed that a two-state solution remains the only viable path towards lasting peace and stability in the region.

The Prime Minister also conveyed India’s continued support for Palestine’s membership in the United Nations, highlighting that India was one of the first countries to recognize Palestine.

In line with its commitment to supporting the Palestinian people, India has provided humanitarian aid to Gaza, including a $2.5 million disbursement to the UNRWA for Palestinian refugees in July.

India has consistently advocated for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict, supporting peaceful resolutions that ensure lasting stability in the region.

The meeting comes amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza, with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reporting that at least 41,226 Palestinians have been killed and 95,413 injured since October 7, 2023.

PM Modi was among the first global leaders to condemn the Hamas terror attack on Israel on October 7, while also expressing ongoing concerns about the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza.

The Prime Minister is currently in New York for the second leg of his three-day visit to the United States. He participated in the Quad Summit and held bilateral meetings with US President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on September 21. He also addressed a large gathering of the Indian diaspora on September 22.

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