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Beyond political issues, both sides welcomed strong economic ties
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Trade between India and Arab states now exceeds $240 billion, and the declaration encouraged further steps to deepen this partnership
India and Arab nations have jointly called for the creation of a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine, while reaffirming their shared commitment to achieving lasting peace in the Middle East. The call was made in a declaration issued after the second India–Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, held in New Delhi after a gap of ten years.
The meeting was co-chaired by India and the United Arab Emirates and attended by foreign ministers from several Arab countries, along with the Secretary General of the Arab League. The outcome document, known as the “Delhi Declaration”, highlighted the importance of resolving the long-standing conflict in line with international law and relevant United Nations resolutions.
Both sides reiterated their support for a two-state solution, with Palestine based on the 1967 borders and living side by side in peace with Israel.
The declaration also stressed the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people and endorsed the Arab Peace Initiative as a framework for achieving a comprehensive settlement
India and the Arab nations welcomed the outcomes of the 2025 Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit, which led to a ceasefire agreement in Gaza. They urged all concerned parties to fully implement the ceasefire and noted the launch of an Arab-Islamic plan focused on relief, recovery and reconstruction in the Gaza Strip.
The declaration underlined the urgent need to ensure uninterrupted humanitarian access across Gaza. It called for sustained delivery of aid and the continued functioning of international and humanitarian organisations operating in the region.
The Gaza conflict, which lasted for two years, resulted in the deaths of nearly 71,800 Palestinians and injured more than 171,400 others. Around 90 per cent of civilian infrastructure in Gaza was destroyed, with United Nations estimates placing reconstruction costs at nearly $70 billion.
