News Analysis |
On February 10, Prime Minister Modi made a three-hour visit to Ramallah, Palestine, from Amman, Jordan and said “India hopes to see a sovereign, independent state of Palestine in a peaceful manner soon.”
Previously on November 25, 2017 he had issued a statement on the occasion of the international day of solidarity with Palestine. “We hope for early realization of a sovereign, independent, united and viable Palestine state, coexisting peacefully with Israel.”
The variance in India’s stance on Palestine from “united and viable Palestine” to a “sovereign, independent state” demonstrates its consistency with its traditional stance on Palestine.
India’s reversal from its stance for a united and viable Palestine to sovereign and independent Palestine is an appreciable and wise step as long as they do not condone human right’s violations by Israel.
During this visit India and Palestine exchanged their views on five agreements, which includes setting up of a $30 million super-specialty hospital, a women’s empowerment center, a national printing press, two schools and a floor for a new school. India has also agreed to set up an Institute of Diplomacy in Palestine.
Palestinians have been effectively living for a decade under two political entities – the West Bank under the Palestine National Authority, and Gaza, ruled by the Islamist Palestinian party Hamas. Currently, India appears to be diluting its opposition to the Israeli occupation but improving Indo-Israel relations may not affect their strengthened ties. India’s stance on Palestine was also a method of leveraging India’s interests in the Middle East.
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Reviewing India’s historical stance, Jawaharlal Nehru informed the Zionist emissary Immanuel Olsvanger that he could not tolerate imperialism in India or Palestine in 1936. Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas siad on several occasions that India can play a possible role in the Middle East peace process. President Abbas said on this visit, “We will discuss the recent updates with Prime Minister Modi, and the recent developments in the peace process, the bilateral relations, and the regional situations.
India’s policy of dealing with Israel and Palestine separately benefits Israel and may undermine political and grassroots efforts to hold Israel accountable for its crimes against Palestinians.
And the possible role India can play in enhancing peace in the region, as well as discussing different economic aspects beyond the existing ties we already possess.” He said, “PM Modi’s visit to the region reflects India’s long-held position of supporting peace and stability in the region.”
He spoke about India’s role in the Middle East peace process and the creation of a multilateral forum of negotiations to strike a final deal with Israel. This was the first instance of the Indian Prime Minister visiting Palestine after US President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel increasing tensions, after which UN General Assembly, including India and 128 nations, voted to turn down the move as “null and void”.
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This visit reflects India’s long-held position of supporting peace and stability in the region as well securing its interests in the Middle East. Palestine works to establish an international multilateral mechanism of negotiations, as the emerging economy of India can play an active role in resolving the Israel-Palestine conflict, though it will take a lot of time in the future.
Each country follows its own national strategy pursuing its interests. So, better Indo-Palestine relations would not be at the cost of Indo-Isreal relations as India is the largest importer of the arms and military equipment of Israel.
In 2016 the foundation stone to establish the Palestine- India Techno Park project in Ramallah, and looking forward the establishment of the Institute of Diplomacy that is kindly funded by the Indian Government are upgrading their bilateral relations.
A lot of Palestinian diplomats have received training in India and hundreds of Palestinians have availed scholarships to study at Indian institutions under the New Delhi’s effort towards capacity building in Palestine. For Mahmoud Abbas, Modi’s visit to Israel in July 2017 had raised questions about the future of Indo-Palestine ties but he can breathe comfortably now as the Indian PM skipped Israel on his tour of the Middle East. Eventually Modi’s visit on Sunday removed those ambiguities.
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Each country follows its own national strategy pursuing its interests. So, better Indo-Palestine relations would not be at the cost of Indo-Isreal relations as India is the largest importer of the arms and military equipment of Israel.
President Abbas said on this visit, “We will discuss the recent updates with Prime Minister Modi, and the recent developments in the peace process, the bilateral relations, and the regional situations.
India’s policy of dealing with Israel and Palestine separately benefits Israel and may undermine political and grassroots efforts to hold Israel accountable for its crimes against Palestinians. On other side, strengthened Indo-US strategic partnership in every field of life and Indo-Israel (sister democracies) defense relations cannot undermine the violation of human rights in Palestine by Israel.
India would be accountable for this before the international community if it stands with Israel in its brutal actions in Palestine. India’s reversal from its stance for a united and viable Palestine to sovereign and independent Palestine is an appreciable and wise step as long as they do not condone human right’s violations by Israel.