India’s Steadfast Solidarity: Championing Palestinian Statehood While Navigating a Complex Diplomacy

India was the first non‑Arab country to formally recognize the state of Palestine following its 1988 declaration of independence. Although diplomatic links were established earlier with the PLO in the 1970s, recognition on 18 November 1988 cemented India’s commitment to Palestinian statehood.

Since then, New Delhi has consistently backed the Palestinian cause, not just rhetorically but through concrete assistance:

• In 2012, India supported Palestine’s upgrade at the UN to “non‑member observer state.”
  
• New Delhi gifted land in the diplomatic enclave of Delhi for the Palestinian embassy.
  
• India inaugurated the Palestine‑India Techno‑Park in Ramallah and launched multiple development initiatives:
  
  • Quick Impact Projects (e.g., Mahatma Gandhi Library in Deir Al Balah, Yasser Arafat Square rehabilitation).
    
  • Major infrastructure projects: a super‑specialty hospital in Ramallah, a printing press, women’s empowerment centers, and authoring scholarships and ITEC training slots for Palestinians.
    
  • Financial contributions: US$141 million in developmental cooperation and US$39 million in budgetary support; plus a USD 50 million Line of Credit for sustainable projects.
    

This enduring engagement underscores India’s policy: advocacy for a sovereign, independent, viable Palestine, coexisting peacefully with Israel.

India’s Statements on the Israel–Palestine War and Humanitarian Support

India has maintained a delicate balance, condemning violence, advocating diplomacy, and providing humanitarian relief:

• PM Modi, in October 2023, conveyed condolences to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas over civilian losses, emphasizing India’s “long‑standing and principled position” for a two‑state solution and humanitarian relief.
  
• The MEA expressed deep shock at civilian casualties in Northern Gaza, urging safe and unimpeded aid delivery.
  
• Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, in December 2023, reaffirmed India’s “long‑standing position on Palestine” and support for a two‑state solution during calls with Palestinian leadership.
  
• In June 2025, PM Modi stated during a bilateral talk with Cyprus that “this is not an era of war,” reflecting India’s broader desire for peace and stability in West Asia.
  

On the ground, India has actively supplied life-saving aid:

• In October 2023, an IAF C‑17 flight delivered 6.5 tonnes of medical supplies and 32 tonnes of disaster relief materials to Egypt for onward delivery to Gaza.
  
• In late 2023, India sent a second consignment of 32 tonnes, including tents, sleeping bags, water purification tablets, via Egypt to support Palestinian civilians.
  
• In October 2024, India dispatched 30 tonnes of vital medicines, surgical items, dental products, and high‑energy biscuits via UNRWA to support humanitarian needs.
  

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Countries Recognizing Palestine (2025) 

Asia

• Afghanistan
  
• Bahrain
  
• Bangladesh
  
• Bhutan
  
• Brunei
  
• Cambodia
  
• China
  
• India
  
• Indonesia
  
• Iran
  
• Iraq
  
• Jordan
  
• Kuwait
  
• Laos
  
• Lebanon
  
• Malaysia
  
• Maldives
  
• Mongolia
  
• Nepal
  
• North Korea
  
• Oman
  
• Pakistan
  
• Philippines
  
• Qatar
  
• Saudi Arabia
  
• Sri Lanka
  
• Syria
  
• Turkey
  
• United Arab Emirates
  
• Vietnam
  
• Yemen
  

Africa

• Algeria
  
• Angola
  
• Benin
  
• Botswana
  
• Burkina Faso
  
• Burundi
  
• Cape Verde
  
• Central African Republic
  
• Chad
  
• Comoros
  
• Republic of the Congo
  
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
  
• Djibouti
  
• Egypt
  
• Equatorial Guinea
  
• Eswatini
  
• Ethiopia
  
• Gabon
  
• Gambia
  
• Ghana
  
• Guinea
  
• Guinea‑Bissau
  
• Ivory Coast
  
• Kenya
  
• Lesotho
  
• Liberia
  
• Libya
  
• Madagascar
  
• Malawi
  
• Mali
  
• Mauritania
  
• Mauritius
  
• Morocco
  
• Mozambique
  
• Namibia
  
• Niger
  
• Nigeria
  
• Rwanda
  
• São Tomé and Príncipe
  
• Senegal
  
• Seychelles
  
• Sierra Leone
  
• Somalia
  
• South Africa
  
• South Sudan
  
• Sudan
  
• Tanzania
  
• Togo
  
• Tunisia
  
• Uganda
  
• Zambia
  
• Zimbabwe
  

Europe

• Albania
  
• Belarus
  
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
  
• Bulgaria
  
• Cyprus
  
• Georgia
  
• Iceland
  
• Ireland
  
• Malta
  
• Poland
  
• Portugal
  
• Romania
  
• Russia
  
• Slovakia
  
• Slovenia
  
• Spain
  
• Sweden
  
• Ukraine
  
• Vatican City
  

Americas & Caribbean

• Argentina
  
• Barbados
  
• Belize
  
• Bolivia
  
• Brazil
  
• Chile
  
• Colombia
  
• Costa Rica
  
• Cuba
  
• Dominica
  
• Dominican Republic
  
• Ecuador
  
• El Salvador
  
• Grenada
  
• Guatemala
  
• Guyana
  
• Haiti
  
• Honduras
  
• Jamaica
  
• Mexico
  
• Nicaragua
  
• Paraguay
  
• Peru
  
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
  
• Saint Lucia
  
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  
• Suriname
  
• Trinidad and Tobago
  
• Uruguay
  
• Venezuela
  

Oceania

• East Timor
  
• Papua New Guinea
  
• Vanuatu
  

Countries Yet to Recognize or Withholding Recognition (2025)

• United States
  
• Germany
  
• Italy
  
• Netherlands
  
• Austria
  
• Hungary
  
• Czech Republic
  
• Denmark
  
• Estonia
  
• Latvia
  
• Lithuania
  
• Greece
  
• Japan
  
• South Korea
  
• Singapore
  
• Micronesia
  
• Palau
  
• Marshall Islands
  
• Israel
  

India’s recognition of Palestine in 1988 marked a defining moment in its foreign policy, affirming a legacy of solidarity, non‑alignment, and regional justice. Through diplomatic engagement, development projects, and humanitarian assistance, India continues to support Palestinian sovereignty while promoting peace. As India navigates its strategic ties with Israel and larger global shifts, its balanced approach remains a model of nuanced diplomacy in a turbulent region.

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