Israel-Arab accords to help Palestine process: India

TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE

NEW DELHI, JANUARY 27

India has said the normalisation of relations between Israel and some Arab nations had the potential to provide the necessary momentum for resumption of direct negotiations between Israel and Palestine, India’s Permanent Representative TR Tirumurti said during a discussion on the Middle East at the UN Security Council.

India also reiterated its support for Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas’ call to hold an international peace conference with the participation of all relevant parties to achieve the vision of an independent Palestine living side by side in peace and security with Israel.

The senior diplomat took note of the joint efforts by Egypt, Jordan, France and Germany to strengthen the international community’s commitment to facilitate the peace process. He pointed out that India had made a multi-year enhanced annual financial contribution of $5 million to support the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees and promised that as an incoming member of the UNRWA Advisory Committee, New Delhi would continue to strengthen its contribution.

On the development aspect of India’s engagement with Palestine, Tirumurti said India had been consistently supporting Palestinian nation-building efforts through human resource development and institution building. It is currently undertaking projects in health, education and technology of around $72 million, and provides over 250 scholarships annually. India has also supplied critical life saving drugs and medical equipment to Palestine as assistance during the pandemic.

India pledged $1.50 lakh for the UN Peace-building Fund.