Finance
India has lauded US President Donald Trump’s role in achieving the landmark Gaza agreement and said it has created momentum for peace in the region.
“The landmark initiative of the United States has generated diplomatic momentum towards peace, and all parties must adhere to their obligations in this regard,” India’s Permanent Representative to UN, P. Harish, said on Thursday.
Participating in a UN Security Council debate on the Middle East, he said, “India would also like to place on record its appreciation for the United States, and especially President Donald Trump, for playing an instrumental role in forging the agreement.”
India attended the Gaza Peace Summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, on October 13 and welcomed the signing of the historic agreement, he noted.
Although Prime Minister Narendra Modi was invited, External Affairs Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh represented India at the occasion.
The accord is based on a 20-point plan for peace and reconstruction in Gaza crafted by Trump, who persuaded Israel and Hamas to accept the peace pact through cajoling and intimidation.
Harish also praised Egypt and Qatar for their roles in mediating negotiations between Israel and Hamas, which helped to secure the peace agreement.
“It is India’s hope that the positive diplomatic momentum that has been generated would lead to lasting peace in the region,” he said.
“Now is the time for all parties to support ongoing peace efforts, rather than to derail them,” Harsh said, adding that New Delhi “remains firmly opposed to any unilateral moves by parties concerned”.
“The short-term gains of the recent diplomatic outcomes must pave the way for medium- to long-term political commitments and practical action on the ground towards the realisation of a Two-State solution” under which Israel and an independent Palestine nation will co-exist in peace.
He reiterated India’s “unwavering support to the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination, national independence, and sovereignty”.
Harish stated that an independent Palestinian state should be economically sustainable.
He emphasized the importance of programs that contain “economic frameworks and mechanisms” for social development, investment, and employment.
According to estimates, Israeli attacks have damaged around 80 percent of Gaza’s dwellings.
“Aid is essential in the short term for rehabilitation and reconstruction”, and international support is needed for this, Harish said.
India has contributed more than $170 million in aid to Palestine, including $40 million projects in various stages of development, he said.
He stated that India has provided 135 metric tons of medicines and supplies to Palestine during the last two years.
Source: IANS
