MEA Secretary Sripriya Ranganathan on Wednesday, 19 August called on Mohammad Mustafa, Prime Minister of the State of Palestine, in Ramallah, holding wide-ranging discussions on deepening the India–Palestine development partnership and launching new initiatives in health, education, and skills development. The high-level visit underscores India's continued diplomatic and humanitarian engagement with Palestine amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Key Meetings in Ramallah

Ranganathan also called on Majdi Al-Khaldi, Diplomatic Advisor to President Mahmoud Abbas, on the same day. The two sides reviewed the broader India–Palestine partnership, covering political engagement and development cooperation, according to the Representative Office of India to the State of Palestine in Ramallah.

Separately, the MEA Secretary met Health Minister Majed Abu Ramadan, where she highlighted India's expanding support to the Palestinian health sector — encompassing essential medicines, anti-cancer drugs, an Artificial Limb Fitment Camp, and the deployment of an Indian field hospital in Gaza. A consignment of medicines from the Government of India was formally handed over to the Palestinian Ministry of Health during the engagement.

Support to UNRWA and Healthcare Services

Earlier on Wednesday, Ranganathan visited the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Health Centre in Ramallah, where she was briefed on healthcare services being extended to Palestinian civilians. 'India's support to UNRWA in providing health, education and other essential services to the Palestinian people remains strong,' the Representative Office of India in Ramallah stated.

Tuesday's Engagement: Gaza Situation and Two-State Solution

On Tuesday, Ranganathan had called on Varsen Aghabekian Shahin, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the State of Palestine — the first formal engagement of her Palestine leg. Discussions covered the full spectrum of India–Palestine relations, with particular focus on the humanitarian situation in Gaza and India's development partnership with the Palestinian people.

Ranganathan reaffirmed India's consistent support for the Palestinian people and a negotiated two-State solution. She conveyed India's deep concern over the grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza and stressed the need for safe, sustained, and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance to civilians. India's position, reiterated during the meeting, calls for a lasting political resolution through dialogue and diplomacy.

Diplomacy, Scholarships and New Cooperation Areas

Progress on the Government of India-funded Palestinian Institute of Diplomacy and anticipated cooperation with the Sushma Swaraj Foreign Service Institute also featured in the discussions. The Palestinian Foreign Minister, recalling her visit to India in January 2025, expressed appreciation for India's support through development projects, capacity-building programmes, scholarships, humanitarian assistance, and contributions to Palestinian institutions and UN agencies.

New areas of cooperation — where India's development experience could address Palestinian needs — were also identified, with both sides reaffirming the longstanding friendship between the peoples of the two countries. Ranganathan is on an official visit to Egypt, Palestine, and Lebanon from 16 to 21 August. Her engagements in Ramallah mark a substantive step in translating diplomatic solidarity into on-ground delivery.