UNITED NATIONS, June 3: India has said dialogue is the “only viable option” for a comprehensive peaceful solution to the vexed Palestinian issue and asked all stakeholders to show restraint and return to the peace process.
“We firmly believe that dialogue is the only viable option in the search for a just, durable and comprehensive peaceful solution of the Palestinian issue,” India’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Bhagwant Bishnoi said.
“Diplomacy and statesmanship have to prevail over hatred and violence; there is no other road to a lasting peace,” he said at a high-level conference ‘UNRWA@65: Sustaining Human Development and Protecting Rights of Palestine Refugees’ here.
India remains hopeful and urges both sides to resume the peace process for a comprehensive resolution of the Palestinian issue, he said yesterday.
He termed as “unfortunate” that even though the General Assembly passed a resolution in December 1949 establishing UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), 65 years have passed without finding an amicable solution to the Palestine Question.
“In fact, the problem has compounded over the years and UNRWA is at a difficult juncture in its 65-year history, facing unprecedented operational challenges,” he said.
India has supported a negotiated solution, resulting in a sovereign, independent, viable and united State of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital, living within secure and recognised borders, side by side and at peace with Israel, as endorsed in the Arab Peace Initiative, the Quartet road map and relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions.
He said that given the current fragile and unpredictable situation and ongoing conflicts in the Middle East region, the role of UNRWA in providing critical assistance to the Palestinian refugees has assumed even greater significance.
India commended UNRWA for successfully and diligently carrying out its mandate of serving over five million Palestinian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and the West Bank and the Gaza Strip under extremely difficult conditions.
He added that apart from the political support for the Palestinian cause, India continues to support development and nation-building efforts of Palestine by consistently extending technical and financial assistance.
India contributes a million dollars annually to UNRWA and has also pledged USD four million in response to the National Early Recovery and Reconstruction Plan for Gaza. (PTI)
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