Syllabus: GS2/IR
Context
- India has voted in favour of a resolution in the UN General Assembly that endorses the ‘New York Declaration’ on the peaceful settlement of the Palestine issue and implementation of the two-state solution.
About
- The resolution was introduced by France and was adopted with an overwhelming 142 nations voting in favour, 10 against and 12 abstentions.
- Those voting against included Argentina, Hungary, Israel and the United States.
- In the declaration, the leaders agreed to take collective action to end the war in Gaza, to achieve a just, peaceful and lasting settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
- The resolution is based on the effective implementation of the two-state solution, and to build a better future for Palestinians, Israelis and all peoples of the region.
- It called on the Israeli leadership to issue a clear public commitment to the two-state solution, including a sovereign, and viable Palestinian State.
India’s Stand on Israeli-Palestinian conflict
- India was the first non-Arab country to recognize the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in 1974.
- In 1988, India was one of the first countries to recognize the State of Palestine.
- India consistently voted in favour of Palestinian resolutions at the UN.
- Support for Palestinian Statehood:
- India supports a two-state solution – peaceful coexistence of Israel and Palestine within secure and recognized borders.
- Advocates East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine (based on UN resolutions).
- Strongly supports Palestine’s membership in international organizations (e.g., UNESCO, UNGA observer state status in 2012).
- High Level Visits: Prime Minister Modi paid a historic visit to Palestine in 2018, the first for an Indian Prime Minister.
- Prior to that, former President Pranab Mukherjee visited Palestine in 2015, marking the first visit by an Indian President to Palestine.
- Development Assistance: India has provided various forms of developmental cooperation assistance to Palestine over the years amounting to approximately US$ 141 million.
- India, Brazil, South Africa (IBSA) Fund has also funded four projects in Palestine worth US$ 5 mn.
- At the UN, India stresses:
- Rejection of violence and terrorism from both sides.
- Need for humanitarian aid to Gaza.
- Support for diplomatic and peaceful settlement.
- India’s position reflects a delicate balance: Even when India’s relationship with Israel flourished in the past three decades, it has maintained a careful balance between its new partnership and historical commitment towards Palestine.
- India has a strategic partnership with Israel in defence, agriculture, and innovation.
- India frames its stance as “principled support for Palestine, pragmatic partnership with Israel.”
Conclusion
- India supports Palestine’s right to statehood and a two-state solution, while simultaneously strengthening strategic relations with Israel.
- Its position is shaped by realism, balancing West Asian interests, and commitment to international law.
Source: AIR
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