PM Modi meets Palestinian Prez Abbas, expresses 'deep concerns' over Gaza crisis & reaffirms India's support

Before his address at the United Nations General Assembly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas. The meeting was held at the New York Palace Hotel in New York on Sunday, where the Prime Minister was staying.

During the one-on-one conversation, PM Modi expressed “deep concerns” about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and reaffirmed India’s continued support of the Palestinian people. MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal took to X, formerly known as Twitter to give insights from the meeting.

PM @narendramodi met H.E. Mahmoud Abbas, President of Palestine, on the sidelines of UNGA today.

PM expressed deep concern at the humanitarian situation in Gaza and reaffirmed 🇮🇳’s continued support to the people of Palestine. pic.twitter.com/6SvSBBds0x

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) September 23, 2024

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“PM @narendramodi met H.E. Mahmoud Abbas, President of Palestine, on the sidelines of UNGA today,” Jaiswal wrote on X. “PM expressed deep concern at the humanitarian situation in Gaza and reaffirmed India’s continued support to the people of Palestine,” he added.

In a separate post, PM Modi emphasised that India wants “early restoration of peace and stability” in the region, which is currently embroiled in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. “Met President Mahmoud Abbas in New York. Reiterated India’s support for the early restoration of peace and stability in the region. Exchanged views of further strengthening long-standing friendship with the people of Palestine,” the Prime Minister wrote on X.

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Met President Mahmoud Abbas in New York. Reiterated India’s support for early restoration of peace and stability in the region. Exchanged views of further strengthening long standing friendship with the people of Palestine. pic.twitter.com/LnmAm7dDax

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 23, 2024

India’s stance on the ongoing conflict

It is pertinent to note that Abbas heads the Palestinian Authority government in the West Bank. Meanwhile, the coastal enclave of Gaza, where the conflict is escalating, is led by Hamas. India has been an ardent advocate for a two-state solution for time immemorial.

Prime Minister Modi was one of the first world leaders to issue a public statement condemning Hamas’ surprise attack in southern Israel on October 7. India and Israel have managed to strengthen their ties in recent years after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu came to power.

However, New Delhi has also sent humanitarian aid to the struggling population of Gaza. In July this year, as a part of its commitment to the war-stricken region, India released the first instalment of a whopping $2.5 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA, for Palestine refugees for the year 2024-25.

Apart from this, PM Modi also held bilateral meetings with Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Kuwait Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah. While speaking to the Kuwaiti crowned prince, PM Modi reviewed India-Kuwait bilateral relations and discussed ways to further strengthen the historical linkages and strong people-to-people contacts between the two nations.

During his meeting with Oli, the Prime Minister discussed matters of mutual interest to strengthen cooperation in all areas of the multi-faceted and expanding India-Nepal partnership.

With inputs from the agencies.