75th Session of the United Nations General Assembly

Agenda Item 37: Question of Palestine

Remarks by Ambassador T.S. Tirumurti,

Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations

2 December 2020

Thank you Mr. President.

At the outset, let me express my heartfelt condolences on the untimely death of Dr. Saeb Erekat, Secretary-General of the PLO Executive Committee. Having  lived in Gaza as India’s first Representative to Palestinian Authority between 1996-98, I vividly recall my meetings with him and visits to his home in Jericho and his warmth and hospitality.  As the chief Palestinian negotiator, Dr. Erekat was deeply committed to realization of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people. 

Mr. President, 

We recently celebrated the 75^th anniversary of the establishment of United Nations. The Israel-Palestine conflict is almost as old as the United Nations itself. However, the aspirations of Palestinian people for a State for themselves remain unfulfilled. The peace negotiations between the two parties remain stalled since 2014. Developments on the ground are not creating conditions conducive to the resumption of these negotiations. We call on parties to refrain from steps that hinder resumption of negotiations.

We are happy to note the decision to resume coordination between the Palestinian Authority and Israel. We urge the leadership of Israel and Palestine to use this opportunity and re-engage in direct negotiations to advance the goal of a two-State solution. We also call upon the Secretary-General, the members of the Middle East Quartet and the key Arab partners to take immediate steps to facilitate this dialogue. 

Mr. President, 

India has been steadfast in its support for the just Palestinian cause and in our solidarity with the Palestinian people, which extends beyond political support. It is our firm belief that even as peace is being pursued on the political track, the people of Palestine must not be forgotten. Over the years, India has invested in strengthening human resource capacities of the Palestinian people through scholarships for Palestinian students pursuing higher education and training of Palestinian professionals in prestigious Indian institutes.  Around 250 Palestinians benefit every year from such opportunities.

India’s efforts are also focused on Palestinian nation-building and strengthening institutions through the India-Palestine development partnership covering various sectors of the Palestinian economy. This includes construction of schools, hospitals, technology parks, centres for excellence etc. We see it as an essential investment to help establish a viable and sovereign Palestinian State.

Another dimension of our support to the Palestinian cause is the enhanced engagement with UNRWA. Recognizing the acute crisis faced by the Agency, India had quadrupled its support to UNRWA in recent years. We have also made a multi-year pledge of 10 million dollars over the coming two years to contribute to a more stable and predictable funding for UNRWA. We consider our partnership with UNRWA as an investment in peace and stability in the region. We thank all member states, who supported India’s membership to the Advisory Commission of UNRWA. 

Mr. President, 

India remains fully supportive of a peaceful negotiated settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict achieved through direct negotiations, resulting in the establishment of a Palestinian State living side by side in peace and security with Israel. 

India stands ready to support all such efforts.

Thank you. 

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