'Not a negotiated document': India clarifies on signing UN statement condemning Israel's West Bank expansion
Times of India
by TOI NEWS DESKFebruary 20, 2026
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India has clarified its position regarding a United Nations joint statement condemning Israel's West Bank expansion. The Ministry of External Affairs stated that the document was not a "negotiated agreement" but rather an endorsement of an existing stance expressed during the India-Arab League Ministerial meeting, which emphasizes support for a sovereign Palestinian state and opposes unilateral Israeli actions. While India signed the UN statement alongside over 100 countries, it did not participate in drafting or negotiating it. The move comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Israel, where he is expected to address the Israeli Parliament.
The joint statement strongly condemned Israel's efforts to consolidate control over the West Bank, calling such measures a violation of international law and a threat to regional peace. It explicitly rejected any actions aimed at altering the demographic composition or status of Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem. India's endorsement of the statement aligns with its long-standing commitment to maintaining international relations based on the UN Charter principles, as highlighted during the India-Arab League meeting.
This development highlights India's delicate diplomatic balancing act between its strategic ties with Israel and its role in fostering peace in the Middle East. By endorsing the statement while clarifying its non-negotiated nature, India signals its alignment with international norms against unilateral actions in the West Bank, a stance that resonates with its broader commitment to conflict resolution through dialogue and cooperation.
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/20/2026