India–Palestine relations
Palestine |
India |
---|---|
Diplomatic mission | |
Embassy of Palestine, New Delhi | Representative Office of India, Ramallah |
Envoy | |
Palestinian Ambassador to India Adnan Abu Al Hija | Indian Ambassador to Palestine Anish Rajan |
India–Palestine relations (
After India achieved its
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Israel, there has been increased cooperation in military and intelligence ventures. Since then, Indian support for Palestine has been lukewarm although India still recognizes the legitimacy of aspirations of Palestine.[4]
History
Establishment of relations
India was the first non-
Upgrade of relations
India opened a Representative Office in
India participated in the 2007
Domestic Palestinian controversy arose, however, as Abbas received some flak for his intransigence. On the visit to India he stated that the country's "growing relationship with Israel is not a matter of concern for [the] Palestinians" as New Delhi's support for Palestinian independence remained clear. He was condemned for making an "utterly irresponsible, gratuitous statement" as "shameful" as it was "politically futile" and stood no chance to win the PA anything in return. Without an apparatus of Palestinian democratic accountability by the representatives of the people the flood of official Palestinian concessions was "guaranteed to continue unabated" as it would cause further damage to the struggle for "inalienable rights." While talking about India's growing engagement with Israel, particularly in the field of defence, Abbas said, "India's relations with Israel is its sovereign decision. We are not going to interfere. We know very well that India is supportive of the Palestinian struggle for achieving its own independence."[11] His controversial comments were in stark contrast to report than India became Israel's second largest trading partner, while India became Israel's largest arm's market and the latter became the former's largest arms supplier.[12] However, it was also said that the Palestinian economy has "incredible potential" which could be unleashed if the Israeli restrictions on Palestinian movement were lifted, this was accorded by the regional World Bank chief just after a high-level World Bank delegation inaugurated a sewage storage facility on a rare trip to the Hamas-ruled Gaza.[13]
While Indian support has often relied on the age-old, and often qualifiable
Indian aid to Palestine
At the Washington Donors Conference in October, 1995, India pledged US$1 million for assistance to the Palestinian people. At the subsequent pledging conference in Paris in January, 1996, India pledged another US$1 million which was utilised for construction of a Library-cum-Activity Centre at the Palestinian Technical College in Deir-El-Balah and another Library at the Al-Azhar University in Gaza. At yet another International Donors Conference in Washington DC on 30 November 1998, India pledged another US$1 million. The sum of US$300,000 was disbursed to Al-Azhar University for the construction of two additional floors to its library. The remaining amount was utilised for a Human Resource Development Programme.
Following a visit of a security delegation to India in March 1997, led by the Head of the Palestinian Security Forces, Maj Gen Nasser Yussef, India offered 51 specialised security training slots to Palestinians in various disciplines during the year 1997–98, which accounted for an estimated expenditure of ₹ 55 lakhs. India also continued to offer 8 scholarships under ICCR Schemes to Palestinian students for higher studies in India, while also offering several slots for training courses under the ITEC Programme.
India added more than 50 training slots, at a cost of ₹ 40,63,000, to Palestinian personnel for specialised training courses during the financial year 1998–99, where 58 Palestinian officers completed their training. During the financial year 1999–2000, 38 more Palestinian officers utilised the facilities for training.[2] In October 2008 PAP President Abbas visited New Delhi where he met with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who announced an assistance of US$20 million to the Palestinian Authority and promised to do all New Delhi can to help it in the PNA's endeavours.[18]
PNA President Mahmoud Abbas paid a state visit to India in September 2012, during which India pledged US$10 million as aid. Indian officials said it was the third such donation, adding that New Delhi was committed to helping other development projects. India also pledged support to Palestine's bid for full and equal membership of the UN. Three pacts – on building schools, on Information Technology and imparting vocational training – were signed between the two side after the talks. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said: "Support for the Palestinian cause has been a cornerstone of India's foreign policy. I reiterated India's firm support for the struggle of the Palestinian people to achieve a sovereign, independent, viable and united state of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital."[19]
Refugees
The first group of
Cultural ties
As in many countries around the world, including those in
Economic ties
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (November 2008) |
An Indian company, M/s Satyam, Hyderabad (and M/s United Information Technology), were jointly awarded by Palestine Telecommunications Co a contract for the supply and implementation of Oracle Financial System in Nablus, West Bank.[2]
High level visits
PLO President
The PLO's executive committee member, Sulaiman Najjab, visited India to participate in a seminar on "Prospects for Peace in the Middle East," organised by the United Nations' Department of Information on 3–4 February 1998.[citation needed] The Palestinian Minister of Housing and Energy,
An Indian official delegation visited the Palestinian self-rule areas in May, 1997 and called on President Arafat in Gaza. The Minister for External Affairs,
Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi visited the West Bank on 10 February 2018, which was the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the Palestinian territories.[22] During the trip to Palestine, Narendra Modi was conferred Grand Collar of the State of Palestine on 10 February 2018.[23]
See also
References
- ^ a b http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0008/000827/082711eo.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- ^ a b c d e f "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 November 2010. Retrieved 7 December 2010.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "India gives $10 mn aid to Palestine, pledges support - Firstpost". www.firstpost.com. 11 September 2012.
- ^ "JINSA Online -- India-Israel Military Ties Continue to Grow". 7 November 2006. Archived from the original on 7 November 2006.
- ^ PTI (12 December 2007). "India's support to Palestine cause unwavered: Pranab". The Times of India. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
- ^ "India to gift embassy building to Palestine". Archived from the original on 7 February 2019. Retrieved 16 November 2008.
- ^ "Palestine President hails Indias role in West Asia peace process". Archived from the original on 15 January 2018. Retrieved 16 November 2008.
- ^ "India reaffirms commitment to the cause of Palestine". The Hindu. 8 October 2008 – via www.thehindu.com.
- ^ "India reiterates support for Palestine cause". The Hindu. 10 October 2008 – via www.thehindu.com.
- ^ "INDIA – PALESTINE RELATIONS" (PDF). Ministry of External Affairs (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 January 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
- ^ "PNN". PNN.
- ^ "SEOSEM ® - Posicionamiento y Marketing en Buscadores SLU - Posicionamiento Web - Posicionamiento SEO y SEM en España: Alicante, Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia..." SEOSEM ® -. Archived from the original on 20 November 2008. Retrieved 16 November 2008.
- ^ "Breaking News, World News & Multimedia".
- ^ Fraser, T. G., Partition in Ireland, India and Palestine
- ^ "Kashmir is not Palestine, India is not Israel". Archived from the original on 29 December 2008. Retrieved 16 November 2008.
- ^ a b "ESRC Society Today – RES-228-25-0010 – The Political Economy of the Israeli-Palestinian and Indo-Pak Peace Processes". Archived from the original on 3 July 2007. Retrieved 16 November 2008.
- ^ "Syria seeks big Indian role in Middle East peace process".
- ^ "NDTV.com: India announces $20 mn aid for Palestine". Archived from the original on 10 May 2020. Retrieved 7 February 2009.
- ^ "India offers $10mn to Palestine - Indian Express". www.indianexpress.com. 12 September 2012.
- UNHCR. Archived from the originalon 3 December 2008.
- ^ "HINDI MOVIES POPULAR IN IRAN, PALESTINE - Bollywood Articles - SmasHits.com". Archived from the original on 4 February 2013. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
- The Associated Press (29 January 2018). "Palestinian official says India's Modi to visit West Bank". The Washington Post. Archived from the originalon 7 February 2019.
Majdi Khaldi, an adviser to President Mahmoud Abbas told the Voice of Palestine on Monday that the visit will take place on Feb. 10, with Modi coming to Ramallah. He says it's the first time an Indian prime minister will visit the Palestinian territories.
- ^ "Modi conferred 'Grand Collar of the State of Palestine'". The Hindu. Press Trust of India. 10 February 2018. Retrieved 26 October 2023.