India, Arab states call for sovereign Palestinian state in declaration

India and member states of the Arab League have issued a strong joint declaration advocating for a sovereign Palestinian state and a comprehensive peace in the Middle East. The statement, known as the Delhi Declaration, followed the second India-Arab foreign ministers' meeting, which convened in New Delhi after a ten-year interval.

Key Points of the Delhi Declaration

The declaration, co-chaired by India and the United Arab Emirates, reaffirmed a commitment to achieving a "just, comprehensive, and lasting peace" based on international law, relevant UN resolutions, and the Arab Peace Initiative. It explicitly called for a "sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine" within the 1967 borders, existing peacefully alongside Israel. The document also underscored support for the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people.

Focus on Gaza Cease-Fire and Humanitarian Access

The diplomats welcomed the outcomes of the recent Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit, which resulted in a cease-fire agreement for Gaza. They urged all parties to fully implement the agreement and noted the launch of an Arab-Islamic plan for the relief and reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. The declaration emphasized the critical necessity of ensuring sustained and unimpeded humanitarian access throughout Gaza to support relief agencies and international organizations.

Context of Devastation and Broader Ties

The meeting's focus on Gaza comes after a two-year war that resulted in extensive Palestinian casualties and the destruction of roughly 90% of the territory's civilian infrastructure, with reconstruction costs estimated at $70 billion. Alongside the political discussions, both sides acknowledged their robust economic partnership, with bilateral trade exceeding $240 billion, and expressed a desire to enhance these commercial ties further.