India’s Role in Middle East Peace Efforts 2025

India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Parvathaneni Harish, addressed the UN Security Council Open Debate on the Middle East situation in October 2025. He brought into light India’s commitment to lasting peace in the region following the Gaza Peace Agreement signed at the Sharm el-Sheikh Summit. India praised the roles of the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Russia in facilitating dialogue. The envoy reaffirmed India’s support for a two-state solution and stressed the importance of humanitarian aid and ceasefire.

India’s Support for Gaza Peace Agreement

India welcomed the landmark Gaza Peace Agreement signed on 13 October 2025. It appreciated the diplomatic efforts by the US, especially President Donald Trump, Egypt, and Qatar. India sees the Agreement as a positive step towards peace and hopes it will generate lasting stability. The country remains opposed to unilateral actions and insists on adherence to commitments by all parties.

Commitment to Dialogue and Two-State Solution

India firmly believes in resolving conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy. It supports the two-state solution as a viable path to peace. India has consistently backed the rights of Palestinians to self-determination, sovereignty, and independence since recognising the State of Palestine in 1988. The recent UN conference in September 2025 outlined steps to advance this goal.

Humanitarian Assistance and Reconstruction Aid

India has provided over $170 million in aid to Palestine, including 135 metric tons of medicines and supplies. This aid supports rehabilitation, reconstruction, and social development. India collaborates with the UN and Palestinian Authority on human-centric projects. It emphasises the need for economic frameworks that promote investment and employment in the region.

Support for Peacekeepers and Regional Stability

India is the second-largest contributor to the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). It stresses the safety and security of peacekeepers and supports Lebanon’s sovereignty. India hopes the Lebanese Armed Forces will fully assume responsibilities after the UNIFIL mandate ends in 2026. It calls for protection of peacekeepers from conflict casualties.

Humanitarian Concerns in Yemen and Syria

India urges cessation of hostilities in Yemen and insists humanitarian aid must reach all civilians without political bias. The safety of Indian nationals in Yemen is a priority. In Syria, India supports a Syrian-led political process and has supplied essential medicines. It calls for urgent attention to humanitarian challenges in the region.

India’s Vision for a Stable Middle East

India advocates for peace based on human rights and dignity. It opposes civilian suffering and destruction caused by conflict. India is ready to contribute to peace efforts and stresses that political solutions must be inclusive and sustainable. The country views peace in Palestine as linked to wider regional stability.

Questions for UPSC:

1. Critically discuss India’s role in international peacekeeping and its impact on regional stability in the Middle East.
2. Analyse the significance of the two-state solution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and India’s diplomatic stance on it.
3. Examine the humanitarian challenges in conflict zones like Yemen and Syria. How can international cooperation address these issues?
4. Estimate the importance of multilateral diplomacy in conflict resolution and peacebuilding, with reference to the United Nations’ role in the Middle East.

Answer Hints:

1. Critically discuss India’s role in international peacekeeping and its impact on regional stability in the Middle East.

1. India is the second-largest contributor to the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), demonstrating a strong commitment to peacekeeping.
2. India stresses the safety and security of peacekeepers, denoting the importance of protecting personnel from conflict casualties.
3. Supports Lebanon’s sovereignty and hopes Lebanese Armed Forces will fully assume responsibilities post-UNIFIL mandate (end of 2026).
4. India’s peacekeeping efforts contribute to maintaining calm on the Palestinian front, which impacts wider regional stability.
5. Through peacekeeping and diplomacy, India promotes stability, security, and conflict de-escalation in the Middle East.
6. India’s active role enhances its image as a responsible global actor committed to multilateral peace efforts.

2. Analyse the significance of the two-state solution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and India’s diplomatic stance on it.

1. Two-state solution envisages sovereign, independent Palestine living alongside Israel within secure, recognized borders.
2. India has consistently supported Palestinian self-determination, sovereignty, and independence since recognizing Palestine in 1988.
3. India views the two-state solution as the viable, peaceful resolution to the conflict and rejects unilateral actions.
4. India welcomes diplomatic momentum from the Gaza Peace Agreement and emphasizes adherence to commitments by all parties.
5. India advocates dialogue, diplomacy, and political commitments as essential to realizing lasting peace.
6. India supports UN-led initiatives and high-level conferences aimed at advancing the two-state solution framework.

3. Examine the humanitarian challenges in conflict zones like Yemen and Syria. How can international cooperation address these issues?

1. Conflict in Yemen and Syria has caused severe humanitarian crises, including civilian suffering, displacement, and lack of essential supplies.
2. India emphasizes that humanitarian aid must be delivered impartially, reaching all civilians irrespective of political affiliations.
3. Calls for immediate cessation of hostilities to enable effective humanitarian assistance and reduce civilian casualties.
4. India contributes medicines and supplies (e.g., 5 metric tons to Syria, 135 metric tons to Palestine) to alleviate suffering.
5. International cooperation through UN agencies and multilateral partnerships is crucial for coordinated aid delivery and conflict resolution.
6. Political solutions led by local stakeholders (e.g., Syrian-led process) combined with international support can sustainably address humanitarian challenges.

4. Estimate the importance of multilateral diplomacy in conflict resolution and peacebuilding, with reference to the United Nations’ role in the Middle East.

1. Multilateral diplomacy enables inclusive dialogue among conflicting parties, encouraging trust and negotiated settlements.
2. The UN provides a neutral platform for debate, peacekeeping (e.g., UNIFIL), and humanitarian coordination in the Middle East.
3. India appreciates Russia’s role in convening the UNSC Open Debate, showing the value of collective international engagement.
4. Diplomatic efforts by the US, Egypt, Qatar, and others facilitated the Gaza Peace Agreement, denoting successful multilateral cooperation.
5. UN-led conferences and resolutions promote adherence to international law, ceasefires, and political frameworks like the two-state solution.
6. Multilateralism ensures shared responsibility, legitimacy, and sustainability in peacebuilding efforts across the region.