PM Modi Meets Palestinian President Abbas, Voices Concern Over Gaza Crisis

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. The meeting took place at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel, where the two leaders discussed the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Expressing India’s “deep concern” over the ongoing conflict, PM Modi reaffirmed India’s unwavering support for the Palestinian people. The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of a peaceful resolution, reiterating India’s long-standing stance in favor of a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict. This approach seeks peaceful coexistence between Israel and Palestine, a position that India has consistently advocated for in international forums.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed the details of the meeting on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). He stated, “PM @narendramodi met H.E. Mahmoud Abbas, President of Palestine. PM expressed deep concern at the humanitarian situation in Gaza and reaffirmed India’s continued support to the people of Palestine.”

India has also extended humanitarian aid to the region. In July 2024, India contributed $2.5 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine refugees, as part of its broader commitment to support Gaza’s civilian population amid the ongoing crisis.

Earlier this month, PM Modi was one of the first international leaders to condemn the Hamas terror attack on Israel on October 7. However, India has also consistently voiced concerns about the humanitarian impact of the ongoing military operations in Gaza, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach.

In addition to his meeting with President Abbas, PM Modi also held bilateral discussions with other global leaders during his New York visit. He met Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Kuwait Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah to discuss various areas of cooperation, including bilateral ties and economic collaboration.

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PM Modi’s engagements also included a high-profile roundtable with top U.S. tech leaders at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he highlighted India’s growth and innovation potential. His discussions emphasized fostering partnerships in technology and engineering, further strengthening India’s global tech footprint.

PM Modi’s visit to New York followed his participation in the Quad Summit with U.S. President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. He also addressed a large gathering of the Indian diaspora at the Nassau Coliseum.

Later today, PM Modi is scheduled to deliver a key address at the ‘Summit of the Future’ at the UN General Assembly, focusing on India’s role in shaping global governance.