AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): India has signed a joint statement along with more than 100 member states of the United Nations, condemning Israel’s expansion in the occupied Palestinian territory of the West Bank.
On Friday, India’s Ministry of External Affairs clarified that the document was not a negotiated text and that India’s position had already been expressed in the recent India–Arab League ministerial joint statement.
Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that the document was not negotiated, as is usually the case at the United Nations. He added that India’s views on the matter were recently outlined in the India–Arab League ministerial-level joint statement.
He said both sides reaffirmed their commitment to achieving a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in the Middle East in accordance with international law, relevant UN resolutions, and the Arab Peace Initiative. They called for the establishment of a sovereign, independent, and viable Palestinian state based on the
1967 borders, living peacefully alongside Israel. Both sides also expressed support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.
Jaiswal stated that India associated itself with the initiative after considering the concerns mentioned in the statement. Speaking at a weekly press briefing, he noted that several other countries also joined the statement after it was issued.
He further said that India participated as an observer in the first meeting of the Board of Peace held in Washington, D.C. Jaiswal added that India supports former U.S. President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace initiative and ongoing efforts under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803.
Referring to the situation in Iran, Jaiswal said India is closely monitoring developments there. He mentioned that an advisory has been issued for Indian nationals residing in Iran.
Speaking about relations with Bangladesh’s new government, Jaiswal said India is keen to further strengthen its broad-based bilateral ties with Bangladesh. He noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Tarique Rahman soon after his election victory.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla attended the swearing-in ceremony on February 17, 2026, and delivered a letter from Prime Minister Modi reaffirming India’s commitment to supporting a democratic, progressive, and inclusive Bangladesh and to strengthening bilateral relations further.
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