TS Tirumurti highlights India's 'steadfast support' for Palestinian cause at UNGA

India's Permanent Representative to United Nations TS Tirumurti on Wednesday said India has been stefast in its support for "just Palestinian cause," and its solidarity for people of Palestine.

Speaking at 75th Session of United Nations General Assembly on "Question of Palestine," Tirumurti said, "Over years, India has invested in strengning human resource capacities of Palestinians through scholarships for its students pursuing higher education and training of Palestinian professionals in prestigious Indian institutes. Around 250 Palestinians benefit every year from such opportunities."

"India has been stefast in its support for just Palestinian cause and in our solidarity with Palestinian people, which extends beyond political support," he ded.

Ambassor said India's efforts are also focused on Palestine’s nation-building and strengning institutions that cover various sectors of Palestinian ecomy. This includes construction of schools, hospitals, techlogy parks, centres for excellence etc, which is an essential investment to help establish a viable and sovereign Palestinian State, he ded.

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India pushes for peaceful settlement of Israeli–Palestinian conflict

Furr talking about India's position on Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Tirumurti said, "India remains fully supportive of a peaceful negotiated settlement of Israeli-Palestinian conflict achieved through direct negotiations, resulting in establishment of a Palestinian State living side by side in peace and security with Israel."

Speaking of India's humanitarian aid to Palestine, Ambassor ted that New Delhi h qurupled its support to United Nations Relief and Works ncy in recent years, and also pledged $10 million over next two years towards stable and predictable funding for UNRWA.

Palestine and Israel have been fighting over Gaza Strip for deces. Israel was later allotted a large part of Palestine, which y considered ir ancestorial land. However, Arabs who were alrey residing in and around two countries felt that y have fallen into a pit of injustice and did t accept new country.

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India’s support for Palestine

India's support for Palestinian cause is an integral part of its foreign policy. In 1974, India became first n-Arab State to recognize Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as sole legitimate representative of Palestinians. India was also one of first countries to recognize State of Palestine in 1988. In 1996, India opened its Representative Office to Palestine in Gaza, which was shifted to Ramallah in 2003.

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India has always played an active role in garnering support for Palestinian cause across various multilateral fore. During 53rd session of UNGA, India co-sponsored draft resolution on " right of Palestinians to self-determination" and voted in favour of it. In October 2003, India voted in favour of UNGA Resolution against construction of separation wall by Israel and supported subsequent resolutions in this regard.

India also voted in favour of accepting Palestine as a full member of UNESCO. In 2012 at UNGA, Palestine became a 'n-member state' and India h co-sponsored a resolution and voted in favour of it. At Asian African Commemorative Conference in April 2015, India supported Bandung Declaration on Palestine and supported installation of Palestinian flag at UN premises in September 2015.

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(With inputs from ncy)