New Delhi, India and the Arab League countries on Saturday presented a broad vision for deepening bilateral ties, stressing the need for a sovereign and viable Palestinian state living side by side with Israel and conducting international relations based on the UN Charter.
India, Arab League support 2-state solution to Palestine issueAt the second Indo-Arab Foreign Ministers’ meeting, both sides condemned cross-border terrorism and urged all countries to work collectively to fight terrorism, stop terror infrastructure and terror financing, and bring perpetrators of terrorist activities to justice.
The India-hosted meeting was attended by 19 member states of the Arab League, which was considered an influential grouping.
A declaration unveiled at the end of the meeting said both sides agreed to strengthen joint efforts to fight terrorism as they strongly condemned the heinous terror attack in Pahalgam targeting innocent Indians.
It said the member countries of the Arab League reiterated their full and steadfast support to India in combating all forms of terrorism.
The meeting discussed various regional and global issues of mutual concern, including the Palestinian question, support for multilateralism and respect for state sovereignty, counter-terrorism and reform of the United Nations Security Council, the statement said.
The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding international peace and security, it said.
“The two sides emphasized the importance of international relations based on respect for the principles of the UN Charter, particularly sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-interference in internal affairs,” the declaration said.
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It added that both sides reiterated their commitment to achieving “a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East in accordance with international law, relevant UN resolutions and Arab peace initiatives”.
“They call for a sovereign, independent and viable Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, living side by side in peace with Israel. Both sides support the exercise of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people,” it said.
The two sides welcomed the outcome of last year’s Sharm el-Sheikh peace conference, which resulted in the conclusion of a cease-fire agreement in Gaza.
“They appreciated the role of the Arab States, particularly the Arab Republic of Egypt and the State of Qatar, as well as the United States,” the Delhi Declaration said.
It said the meeting called on all parties concerned to fully comply with the implementation of the agreement and to launch an Arab-Islamic plan for relief, recovery and reconstruction in the Gaza Strip.
It emphasizes the need to ensure adequate, sustainable and uninterrupted access to humanitarian and relief aid throughout the Gaza Strip, guaranteeing the continued operations of relief agencies and international and humanitarian organizations.
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The comments by India and the Arab League countries come days after US President Donald Trump unveiled his “Peace Board” which seeks to work towards bringing a lasting peace to Gaza and, possibly, resolve the global conflict.
India and Arab League countries have also pledged to expand cooperation in energy, digital domain, health and education.
Both sides condemned Houthi militia attacks on maritime shipping and emphasized that the protection of the vital Bab al-Mandab strait and the southern Red Sea is not only an Arab and regional responsibility, but a joint international responsibility and a matter of global interest.
They warned against any attempt to destabilize the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean, the statement said.
Both sides reiterated their collective determination to act as “constructive forces” for peace, justice and sustainable development and to strengthen South-South cooperation.
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