Bali, Indonesia, May 26- Addressing the Ministerial meeting of the NAM committee on Palestine, E. Ahamed, Minister of state for External Affairs demanded an end to the illegal Israeli settlements in occupied Palestine territories.
INTERVENTION BY SHRI E.AHAMED,
MINISTER OF STATE FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS OF INDIA
AT THE MINISTERIAL MEETING OF THE NAM COMMITTEE ON PALESTINE
BALI, INDONESIA
(May 26, 2011)
Mr. Chairman,
Thank you for this opportunity to address this important committee. As I address this august gathering, I warmly recall that we began our work in this Committee following the decision taken at the Non-aligned Movement held in New Delhi in 1983.
India’s deep association with, and continuing commitment to Palestine is rooted in our struggle for independence. It has been a central feature of India's foreign policy even before we achieved independence in 1947. Starting with our vote against partition of Palestine, through India's recognition of the PLO in 1974 as the sole and legitimate representative of the Palestinian people and our recognition of the state of Palestine in 1988, India has consistently stood by the Palestinian people. We support the Palestinian people’s struggle for a sovereign, independent, viable and united State of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital living within secure and recognized borders, side by side and at peace with Israel, as endorsed in the Arab Peace initiative, the Quartet Roadmap and relevant UN Security Council Resolutions.
Mr. Chairman,
We commend the state building efforts of the Palestinian National Authority and their determination to persist with Prime Minister Fayyad’s Plan for achieving statehood. In spite of the significant progress achieved by the Palestinian Authority in different sectors including in education and culture, health, social protection, and infrastructure and water, one must never lose sight of the reason for the deplorable situation in Gaza, where even essentials are difficult to come by. The blockade on Gaza is adversely affecting the population who barely has access to the essential commodities. India has called for an early and significant easing of restrictions on the free movement of persons and goods within Palestine. We have also called for an end to illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.
India welcomes the recent reconciliation agreement between Fatah and Hamas on the West Bank and Gaza and hopes that this would promote the realization of the aspirations of the Palestinian people, and lead to peace and stability in the region.
Mr. Chairman,
Since the opening of our Representative Office in Palestine in 1996, India has extended material assistance to the Palestinian National Authority. The assistance has been for humanitarian relief, development projects, establishment of educational and training facilities, budgetary support etc. India has been involved with training a large number of Palestinian officials from economic, industrial and financial sectors. India extended a budgetary support of US$ 10 million to the Palestine National Authority earlier this year in addition to a similar contribution last year, to assist in their work of reconstruction and development. As you may also be aware, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), India increased its annual contribution to US$ 1 million from last year. We have also pledged to contribute this amount next year as well. Under the IBSA Fund, along with Brazil and South Africa, we are implementing a Sports Complex in Ramallah. These exemplify India's continuing commitment to Palestine.
Mr. Chairman,
I avail myself of his opportunity to renew India’s commitment to the work of this Committee, confident that under your guidance, we would contribute in ever-larger measure to the work of the Movement in support of the Palestinian people.
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