11. Diplomatic Calibration: India Condemns West Bank Settlement Expansion

On February 18, 2026, India joined over 100 United Nations member states in signing a joint statement strongly condemning Israel’s recent decisions to expand its control over the occupied West Bank. The statement, read out by Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour, signals a critical diplomatic calibration by New Delhi, reaffirming its traditional \'Two-State\' stance despite burgeoning strategic ties with Tel Aviv. Core Summary of the UN Joint Statement • Condemnation of Unilateralism: India joined a coalition including Arab nations, BRICS members, the EU, and all permanent UNSC members (except the U.S.) to condemn Israel\'s \'unilateral measures\' aimed at expanding its presence in the West Bank. • Rejection of Annexation: The statement explicitly rejects any \'de facto annexation\' of Palestinian territories, emphasizing that such moves violate international law and the Fourth Geneva Convention. • Demographic Integrity: Signatories reiterated their rejection of all measures designed to alter the \'demographic composition, character, and status\' of the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem. • Timing and Context: India initially skipped a joint appearance on February 17, likely due to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming state visit to Israel (February 25- 26). However, New Delhi signed the document late on Wednesday, just before the deadline. • International Consensus: The statement followed the Israeli cabinet\'s February 2026 decision to implement land registration in \'Area C\' for the first time since 1967, a move experts call a \'mega land grab.\' • Support for Two-State Solution: The declaration reaffirms the 1967 lines as the only viable basis for a sovereign, independent Palestinian state living side-by-side with Israel. Key Definitions • Area C: Under the Oslo Accords, this comprises approximately 60% of the West Bank where Israel maintains full civil and security control.• De Facto Annexation: The administrative and legislative steps taken by an occupying power to integrate territory into its own state without a formal declaration of annexation. • Settlement Watch: A monitoring process by NGOs (like Peace Now) and international bodies to track the expansion of housing units and infrastructure in occupied territories. • Knesset: The unicameral national legislature of Israel, which PM Modi is expected to address during his 2026 visit. Constitutional & Legal Provisions • Article 51 (DPSP): The Indian Constitution mandates the State to \'promote international peace and security\' and \'foster respect for international law,\' providing the foundation for India\'s principled stand on Palestine. • UNSC Resolution 2334 (2016): Explicitly states that Israel’s settlement activity constitutes a \'flagrant violation\' of international law and has \'no legal validity.\' • ICJ Advisory Opinion (July 2024): The International Court of Justice ruled that Israel\'s occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem is unlawful and must be brought to an end \'as rapidly as possible.\' • Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention: Prohibits an occupying power from transferring parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies. Strategic De-hyphenation in 2026 While India has intensified its \'Strategic Partnership\' with Israel—evidenced by the ₹3.25 lakh crore Rafale jet deal and cooperation in cybersecurity—it continues to practice \'De-hyphenation.\' This means India treats its relationship with Israel and Palestine as independent and on their own merits. By signing the statement, New Delhi signals that its support for Israel’s security does not equate to an endorsement of its settlement policy. Conclusion India\'s decision to sign the UN statement, after a brief delay, underscores the \'tightrope walk\' of its Middle East policy. While PM Modi’s upcoming visit to Israel aims to solidify an \'enormously powerful alliance\' in defense and technology, New Delhi remains unwilling to abandon its historical consensus on international law. For India, a stable West Asia is critical for the success of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), making any destabilizing annexation in the West Bank a direct threat to its long-term economic interests. UPSC Relevance • GS Paper II: India and its neighborhood- relations; Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India; Effect of policies of developed and developing countries on India’s interests. • GS Paper I: History of the world: Middle East conflicts and the Palestinian issue. • Prelims Focus: Geography of the West Bank (Area A, B, C), 1967 borders (Green Line), Oslo Accords, and the role of the UN Special Rapporteur on Palestinian territories.