New Delhi

India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, surprised delegates at the UN Security Council by switching from English to fluent Arabic while reaffirming India's steadfast support for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Harish made the remarks during a recent UN Security Council open debate on the Situation in the Middle East, where he voiced concern over the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza and underlined India's continued development assistance to the Palestinian people.

Beginning his address in English, Harish described the resurgence of hostilities after a brief lull as deeply alarming and called for an immediate return to dialogue and diplomacy.

Describing West Asia as a region of "immense importance" to India, he said, "after a brief pause in the ongoing conflict in the region, there has been a worrying resumption of attacks and escalation of hostilities. This is deeply concerning and India calls for an immediate de-escalation of tensions."

India's Permanent Representative to the UN, P. Harish, reaffirmed India's support for a two-State solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict, expressed concern over the loss of civilian lives in Gaza, and highlighted India's developmental assistance, including the construction of… pic.twitter.com/spJRUzUHHC

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He then switched to Arabic while addressing the situation in the Gaza Strip, India's assistance to Palestine and New Delhi's long-standing support for the two-state solution.

Speaking in Arabic, Harish told the Council that the world's attention on the Strait of Hormuz should not divert "our attention away from the dire humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip."

"The loss of civilian lives and destruction of civilian infrastructure are pressing concerns that the international community must act on immediately, with a deep sense of urgency," he said.

Continuing in Arabic, Harish said India remains firmly committed to improving the daily lives of Palestinians through development assistance worth nearly USD 175 million. The assistance includes development projects, humanitarian aid and contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

"India has been a top emerging donor of UNRWA and we have given operational flexibility to the UN Agency for utilising our contributions," he said.

Harish also informed the Council that at the Palestine donor group meeting in Brussels earlier this month, India announced plans to establish a specialty hospital, an artificial limb fitment centre and a vocational training institute in Palestine. He added that India is also constructing the Palestinian Institute of Diplomacy.

Reiterating India's position, Harish said diplomacy remains the only viable path to restoring peace and stability in the region.

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"The targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must end, and free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the international waterways in the region, in keeping with international law, must be restored at the earliest," Harish said.