Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar spoke by phone with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh on December 9, reiterating New Delhi's long-standing position on Palestine.
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| Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar. (Source: Hindustan Times) |
Earlier, on October 12, Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi stated that New Delhi's position on the Palestinian issue is "long-standing and consistent." According to Bagchi, "India has always supported the resumption of direct talks aimed at establishing a sovereign, independent Palestinian state within secure and recognized borders, existing peacefully alongside Israel. That position remains unchanged."
Also in October, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and expressed condolences over the loss of life at Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza. Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed India's commitment to providing humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people, while reiterating India's long-standing principled position on the Israeli-Palestinian issue.
India recognized the State of Palestine in 1988, being one of the first countries to do so. While enjoying good relations with Israel – particularly under Prime Minister Modi – there are also frequent high-level visits between New Delhi and Palestine. In October 2015, Indian President Pranab Mukherjee became the first Indian president to visit Palestine, and in February 2018, Prime Minister Modi became the first Indian prime minister to visit Palestine.
In January 2016, Foreign Minister Sushmas Swaraj also visited Palestine. In May 2017, Palestinian President Abbas made his fifth state visit to India; the previous four were in 2005, 2008, 2010, and 2012.
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