00:00Madam President, India thanks the Democratic Republic of Congo for convening today's open debate.
00:05I also thank the briefer for his insightful remarks.
00:09Middle East, which is West Asia, is a region of immense importance to India.
00:13Our stakes in the security and stability of the region are high.
00:17India's trade and energy supply chains are strongly linked to this region.
00:21With bilateral annual trade of around $180 billion,
00:24accumulated foreign direct investment of over $31 billion,
00:27and remittances of more than $52 billion from GCC alone,
00:31these linkages have direct implications for our economy and energy security.
00:36Around 10 million Indians live and work in the Gulf region.
00:39Their safety and well-being are a key priority for us.
00:43After a brief pause in the ongoing conflict in the region,
00:46there has been a worrying resumption of attacks and escalation of hostilities.
00:51This is deeply concerning, and India calls for an immediate de-escalation of tensions.
00:55We strongly condemn the recent attacks on several vessels,
00:59GFS Galaxy, M.T. Al-Bahia, and M.T. Mombasa among them,
01:04during their transit through the Strait of Hormuz this month.
01:08Several Indian citizens were injured, including some seriously.
01:11One Indian tragically lost his life, and one is missing in these attacks.
01:16India has consistently condemned acts of violence targeting seafarers
01:20and disrupting free and safe navigation through international waterways like the Strait of Hormuz.
01:25India strongly advocates a return to dialogue and diplomacy
01:28in the interests of peace, security, and stability in the region.
01:32The targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must end,
01:37and free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the international waterways in the region,
01:42in keeping with international law, must be restored at the earliest.
01:48Sayyida Raisa, Yajiba.
01:50Madam President, we need to focus on the Strait of Hormuz,
01:55but also we need to focus on the tragic humanitarian situation in Gaza.
02:00The loss of civilian lives, the destruction of civilian infrastructure,
02:04these are some of the main concerns that the international community must focus on in an urgent manner
02:14and must act upon.
02:17We must fully support efforts by fully implementing Security Council resolutions,
02:26including Resolution 2803.
02:30India remains firmly committed to the efforts that impact in a positive way the lives of Palestinian civilians.
02:45The humanitarian assistance provided by India to Palestine is valued at over 400 million U.S. dollars.
02:57This assistance comes in various forms.
03:01We have provided humanitarian assistance, development assistance.
03:05We have also assisted UNRWA.
03:08We have provided other forms of assistance as well.
03:13India is one of the main donors to UNRWA.
03:17We believe that this is the UN agency that will help distribute the assistance that we will deliver.
03:27During the Palestine donor group in Brussels,
03:33India announced that it is committed to build a specialized hospital
03:38and a center for prosthetics as well as a vocational training center in Palestine.
03:49India also will contribute to building the Palestinian Institute.
03:56We have sought to alleviate the suffering of the civilians in Palestine,
04:03but at the same time, we must seek a permanent political solution.
04:08India's support to the two-state solution is well known to all India believes that the establishment of a Palestinian
04:20state
04:20that is sovereign, independent and viable, living side by side in peace with Israel
04:27within secured and recognized borders is important to reach a permanent solution.
04:37On Lebanon, the Blue Helmets serve in challenging circumstances.
04:43UNIFIL peacekeepers pursue UN Security Council mandates and therefore must never become targets.
04:48They serve the cause of international peace and security.
04:51India has strongly condemned all attacks on UNIFIL peacekeepers.
04:55Their safety and security are a priority.
04:58The sanctity and inviolability of UN premises must be fully respected.
05:02Further, it is important to be ready for a post-UNIFIL scenario,
05:06and in this context, the Lebanese armed forces must receive requisite support and assistance.
05:10On Syria, we stress the importance of a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process
05:15in line with UNSC Resolution 2254.
05:18The principles of sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of the Syrian-Arab Republic
05:24must remain central to all efforts.
05:26We also reiterate our support to ongoing efforts in finding long-term solutions.
05:31On Yemen, India reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity
05:37of the Republic of Yemen and rejection of any interference in its internal affairs.
05:41We further condemn attacks by Houthis on maritime navigation.
05:44The protection of the Babal-Mandab Strait and the Southern Red Sea
05:47is a shared international responsibility and is a global interest.
05:53Madam President, the people of the Middle East need normalcy and lasting peace.
05:57As a member state guided by our civilizational doctrine of Vasudhaiva Kutumbukam,
06:01or the whole world is one family,
06:03India is committed to global well-being and a more secure, stable and prosperous world.
06:08India will continue to be driven by this approach.
