Can India ever return to a principled Palestine policy?

INDIA REGULARLY SENDS aid to Palestine through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees. According to a press release issued by India’s Ministry of External Affairs, when Narendra Modi met the president of the Palestinian National Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, on the sidelines of the Summit of the Future in New York in September 2024, the Indian prime minister “expressed deep concern at the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza and the deteriorating security situation in the region and reaffirmed India’s unwavering support to the people of Palestine, including continued humanitarian assistance.”

In June 2024, the prime minister of the Palestinian National Authority, Mouhammad Mustafa, highlighted that India could play a role in Israel–Palestine relations amid the Israeli onslaught in Gaza. After Modi’s election to a third term, Mustafa wrote to him saying, “As a global leader and a nation that values human rights and peace, India holds a significant role in bringing an end to the genocide in Gaza. It is imperative for India to utilize all diplomatic channels to call for an immediate ceasefire, increase humanitarian aid to Gaza to help alleviate the suffering.” The previous month, India had backed Palestine’s admission to the United Nations as a full member, voting in favour of a draft UN General Assembly resolution to this end. The gesture was consistent with India’s long-standing recognition of Palestinian statehood and support for a two-state solution to the Israel–Palestine conflict, acknowledging both Israel and Palestine’s right to exist side by side.