New Delhi/New York: Amid the ongoing Gaza conflict and days after the US’ veto, India has voiced hope that Palestine’s bid to become a full member of the United Nations will be reconsidered and be endorsed by the other members.
India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ruchira Kamboj said in a statement in the UN General Assembly on the Use of Veto: “While we have noted that Palestine’s application for membership at the United Nations was not approved by the Security Council because of the aforesaid veto, I would like to state here at the very outset that in keeping with India’s long-standing position, we hope that this would be reconsidered in due course and that Palestine’s endeavour to become a member of the United Nations will get endorsed.”
On April 18, the UN Security Council had rejected Palestine’s request for UN membership, with P5 member United States casting a veto. The 15-nation Council had voted on a draft resolution that would have recommended to the 193-member UN General Assembly “that the State of Palestine be admitted to membership in the United Nations”.
The resolution got 12 votes in its favour, and two abstentions – of Switzerland and UK, while the US cast a veto. To be adopted, the draft resolution required at least nine Council members voting in favour, with no vetoes by any of the five permanent members.
In her address, Ruchira Kamboj said that India has emphasised on a two-state solution on the Palestine issue.
“India is committed to supporting a two-state solution where the Palestinian people are able to live freely in an independent country within secure borders with due regard to the security needs of Israel,” she said.
To arrive at a lasting solution on the issue, India urges all parties to foster conditions conducive to resuming direct peace negotiations at an early date, she said.
Referring to the ongoing Gaza war, Ruchira Kamboj said the war has heightened the humanitarian crisis and it could also lead to potential for growing instability in the region and beyond.
Underlining India’s position on the ongoing Gaza conflict, she said that it has led to a large-scale loss of civilian lives, especially of women and children, “and a humanitarian crisis, which is simply unacceptable. India has strongly condemned the deaths of civilians in the conflict”.
She said the October 7 terror attack by Hamas on Israel was shocking and deserves “unequivocal condemnation”. “There can be no justification for terrorism and hostage-taking. India has a long-standing and uncompromising position against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. And we demand the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages,” she said.
She urged that the humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza be scaled up immediately and added that India has provided humanitarian aid to the people of Palestine and will continue to do so.
