New Delhi

India is the first non-Arab country to recognize the State of Palestine and set up diplomatic relations with it. It conferred recognition on it as soon as the Palestine Liberation Organization, then headed by the charismatic leader Yasser Arafat, declared it a nation-state in November 1988..  

It was long before the European nations like France and the UK woke up and verbally pledged the same in the wake of the human crisis in Gaza due to Israel’s continuous attacks on the territory while being in pursuit of Hamas and searching for its hostages.

India reminded the world of its pioneering role in supporting Palestine at the international peace conference in New York on July 30.

India’s permanent Representative to the United Nations Parvathaneni Harish told the Conference, “In 1988, India became one of the first countries to recognize the State of Palestine, with firm support and commitment to the Two-State solution. I am pleased to underscore that India led by example in this regard more than 37 years ago.”

🇵🇸 🇮🇳 “In 1988, India became one of the first countries to recognize the State of Palestine, with firm support and commitment to the Two-State solution. I am pleased to underscore that India led by example in this regard more than 37 years ago.” pic.twitter.com/bMJROU2kXP

— State of Palestine (@Palestine_UN) July 31, 2025

Interestingly, India established its full diplomatic relations with Israel in 1992 by opening its embassy in Tel Aviv.

The conference organized by the United Nations General Assembly came up with the New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Palestinian Question and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution.

France and Saudi Arabia organized the conference.

Palestinian President Mahmoud  Abbas also praised the positions of the participating countries in the conference sessions, which affirmed in their speeches their support for a just and comprehensive peace, which reflects a unified international will to end the occupation, achieve the two-state solution, and recognize the State of Palestine.

Today, New Delhi has embassies of both Israel and Palestine, although India’s relations with Israel have become even stronger and more dynamic.

India has always supported a negotiated two-state solution, towards the establishment of a sovereign, independent, and viable State of Palestine within secure and recognized borders, living side by side in peace with Israel.

The Narendra Modi government has maintained a policy of "de-hyphenation" of Israel and Palestine by treating its relations with both independently of each other. This means engaging with both nations based on their merits and India's national interests.

On the recent war between Israel and Hamas, India strongly condemned the terror attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023 and the loss of civilian lives in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

India remains concerned at the security situation and has called for a ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and a peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. India has emphasized the need for safe, timely, and sustained delivery of humanitarian assistance to the people of Palestine. India has also reiterated that bringing Israel and Palestine closer contributes to creating conditions for the early resumption of direct peace negotiations.

India abstained in the vote on the recent resolution in the UNGA Emergency Special Session on 12 June 2025.

At the United Nations, Palestine has the status of a non-member observer state despite 147 of the 193 member states of the UN having recognised it as a sovereign state.

This is because the USA has been threatening to use its veto power to block the proposal for Palestine’s full-fledged status as a member state.

India has so far provided developmental cooperation assistance amounting to approximately US$141 million to Palestine. This includes budgetary support to the Palestinian Authority and contributions to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA).

India is among the frontline states to send aid to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza; it sent medicines, medical supplies, tents, and other essential items in the current crisis.

India has implemented various development projects in Palestine, including educational institutions, infrastructure development, and capacity-building programs.

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An India-Palestine Youth Exchange program is in place for fostering a deeper understanding and engagement between the younger generations of both nations. 

Bilateral trade between India and Palestine occurs through Israel and is estimated at around US$146 million, mostly comprising Indian exports.