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Picture Courtesy: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pm-modi-meets-palestinian-pm-abbas-in-new-york-expresses-deep-concern-over-gaza-humanitarian-crisis/article68672665.ece
The Indian Prime Minister's recent meeting with the Palestinian Prime Minister during his visit to New York is significant regarding India's foreign policy and position on the Israeli-Palestinian issue.
The Indian Prime Minister's meeting with the Palestinian Prime Minister came after India abstained from a UN resolution requiring Israel to vacate occupied Palestinian territory within a year. India's careful position is reflected in its abstention, as it strikes a balance in India's relations with both Israel and Palestine.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister highlighted India's continuous support for the Palestinians. He expressed serious concern about the current humanitarian disaster in Gaza exacerbated by the lengthy fighting and military blockade, this humanitarian emergency includes acute shortages of medical supplies, food, and water. This impacts millions of Palestinian civilians.
The meeting centred around a two-state solution to achieve long-term peace in the region. The Indian PM appeals for a cease-fire, the release of refugees, and a resumption of diplomatic engagement between Israel and Palestine. This approach aligns with international consensus regarding the importance of mutual recognition and coexistence between the two countries to promote peace and stability in the Middle East.
The meeting allowed India to highlight its role as a mediator and advocate of regional peace initiatives. The Indian PM approach demonstrated India's desire to engage in meaningful dialogue with both sides. Its goal is to bridge gaps and promote understanding.
India's relationship with Palestine is an essential part of its foreign policy. It is marked by historical links, common ideals, and a commitment to supporting Palestinian interests. India strongly supports the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and sovereignty.
In 1974, India became the first non-Arab country to acknowledge the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. India officially recognised Palestine in 1988. India opened its Representative Office in Gaza in 1996 and later shifted to Ramallah in 2003.
India has always supported the Palestinian people's rights on various international platforms. India Supported UN resolutions that protected Palestinian self-determination and encouraged Israel to comply with international law. India supported the UN General Assembly Resolution 74/139 in 2020 and also voted in favour of UNESCO's decision to grant full membership to Palestine in 2011.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Palestine in February 2018 was historic. It was the first time an Indian Prime Minister had visited Palestine.
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About Palestine |
Palestine is a country in southern West Asia recognised by 145 of the UN's 193 member states. It includes the Israeli-occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, sometimes known as the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Most of the country's boundaries are shared with Israel, while Jordan and Egypt border it to the east and southwest. It claims Jerusalem as its capital, and Ramallah as its administrative centre. Palestine has been a non-member observer state in the United Nations since 2012. |
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About Israeli-Palestinian conflict |
The ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict dates back to World War I. During the war, Britain occupied Palestine from the Ottoman Empire and established Palestine under the umbrella of the League of Nations. British authorities authorised large-scale Jewish immigration, which increased tensions and violence among the indigenous Palestinian Arab community. By 1947, Britain had handed over the problem to the United Nations, which presented a partition plan for two autonomous Arab and Jewish governments, as well as an independent entity for Jerusalem; however, a civil war broke out, and the plan was never executed. The 1948 Palestine War resulted in the forcible removal of the majority of the country's largely Palestinian Arab people, as well as the founding of Israel, known as the Nakba. During the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel captured the West Bank and Gaza Strip which were previously held by Jordan and Egypt, respectively. The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) announced Palestine's independence in 1988. In 1993, it signed the Oslo peace agreements with Israel, establishing a limited PLO government in the West Bank and Gaza Strip through the Palestinian Authority. Israel unilaterally withdrew from the Gaza Strip in 2005, but the territory remains under military occupation and is under Israeli occupation. Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip in 2007 due to internal conflicts among Palestinian political factions. Since then, the PA, led by Fatah, has partially controlled the West Bank, while Hamas has maintained control of the Gaza Strip. |
India's commitment to Palestine extends beyond political support and includes significant development assistance. Over the last two years, India has donated around $141 million in various forms of aid to the Palestinian Authority, including $39 million in administrative support. This support is aimed at critical areas like education, health, and infrastructure development.
Trade between India and Palestine is mostly conducted through Israel. The bilateral trade volume reached $67.77 million in 2020, with India mostly sending marble, rice, and machinery to Palestine. The signing of a memorandum of understanding in February 2022 by the Indian Trade Promotion Council and the Ramallah Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Business seminars and exhibitions are also organised to promote economic cooperation.
India actively assists Palestinian refugees by donating to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Since 2002, India has contributed over $36.5 million to UNRWA, significantly raising its annual contribution from $1.25 million to $5 million in 2018.
India has increasingly associated with Israel, motivated by strategic and economic reasons. This trend is highlighted in India's refusal to support a recent UN resolution asking for a humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza. India's rising defence and technology collaboration with Israel, including large arms acquisitions, displays this rebalancing.
The Indian leadership displayed a greater pro-Israel mindset. This is impacted by ideological connections as well as the strategic importance of counterterrorism collaboration. This shift has resulted in a more calm response to Palestinian issues, which contradicts India's past support for Palestine.
India's increasing links to Israel may affect relations with Middle Eastern countries that support Palestine. This balancing act is critical, as India relies on these countries for energy security and economic cooperation.
Public opinion and media narratives in India have increasingly embraced Israel, owing to right-wing political ideas and social media efforts. This shift in public mood challenges India's diplomatic approach to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
India should take a balanced approach, demonstrating its support for a two-state solution while maintaining its engagement with Israel on strategic issues. This balance is critical to maintaining India's long-standing commitment to Palestinian rights and its developing connections with Israel.
India may use its influence on international platforms to push for peaceful solutions and humanitarian aid for Palestine. Active involvement in UN projects and other global forums might assist India in navigating its complex diplomatic conditions.
Providing economic and humanitarian assistance to Palestine may strengthen India's commitment to Palestinian wellness and help minimise negative perceptions about India's closer connections with Israel.
Increasing cultural and educational exchanges between India and Palestine can build mutual understanding and goodwill. Public diplomacy projects may bridge geopolitical gaps and enhance interpersonal relationships.
India's relationship with Palestine faces significant challenges as global dynamics shift and local political influences emerge. However, by taking a balanced and proactive approach, India may overcome these complications and continue supporting Palestinian aspirations while promoting its strategic interests.
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q.Critically analyze the balance India maintains between its support for Palestine and its growing ties with Israel. How does this dual approach affect India’s strategic interests and international relations? (250 words) |
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