(Photo : PIB)

• India has dispatched 30 tonnes of medical and food supplies to Palestine, demonstrating its commitment to the Palestinian cause.
• This is not the first time India has provided aid to nations in crisis, having previously sent medical supplies to Lebanon.
• India's support for Palestine is deeply rooted in history, with India being one of the first countries to recognise the Palestinian State.
• The aid to Palestine also reflects a shift in India's foreign policy, which has seen a warming of ties with Israel, showcasing India's pragmatic approach to foreign policy.

In a significant humanitarian gesture, India has dispatched the first tranche of 30 tonnes of medical and food supplies to Palestine through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). This move is a testament to India's unwavering commitment to the Palestinian cause, a cornerstone of its foreign policy. The consignment, which departed on Tuesday, includes a wide range of essential medicines, surgical supplies, dental products, general medical items, and high-energy biscuits. The official spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Randhir Jaiswal, confirmed the dispatch in a post on social media.

This is not the first time India has extended a helping hand to nations in crisis. On October 18, India dispatched the first tranche of 11 tonnes of medical supplies to Lebanon, a nation grappling with rising tensions and ongoing conflict in southern Lebanon. A total of 33 tonnes of medical supplies are being sent in a bid to support the beleaguered nation.

India's Historical Support for Palestine

India's support for Palestine is deeply rooted in history. In 1974, India became the first non-Arab state to recognise the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) as the sole and legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. In 1988, India was among the first countries to recognise the Palestinian State. In 1996, India opened its Representative Office in Gaza, which was later shifted to Ramallah in 2003.

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), operational in the region since 1978, recently renewed its mandate for another year, underlining the importance of protecting its peacekeepers as violence continues to escalate in southern Lebanon.

India's humanitarian assistance to Palestine comes at a time when the embattled UN agency aiding Palestinians is facing a financial crisis, with its needs escalating due to the Hamas-Israel conflict. On July 13, India pledged to continue supporting this agency, demonstrating its commitment to international peace and stability.

India's Evolving Foreign Policy

India's support for Palestine is not just limited to humanitarian aid. It has consistently advocated for a two-state solution, recognising Palestine's right to self-determination. This stance was evident when India joined 164 countries to vote in favour of Palestinians' right to self-determination in 2019.

India's relationship with Palestine is not just political but also cultural. Indian arts, films, yoga, and cuisine are popular in Palestine, reflecting the deep cultural and civilizational linkages between the two nations.

India's humanitarian aid to Palestine also reflects a shift in its foreign policy, which has traditionally been pro-Palestine but has recently seen a warming of ties with Israel. This shift has been marked by increased defence cooperation, with Israel becoming a significant defence importer for India.