UNITED NATIONS: Reiterating that only a two-state solution will deliver enduring peace that the people of Israel and Palestine deserve, India has said this should be achieved through direct negotiations between both sides on final status issues and any unilateral action which could prejudice these issues must be avoided.
India’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador K Nagaraj Naidu at the UN Security Council meeting on ‘The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question’ said New Delhi reaffirms its support to the Palestinian cause and the establishment of a sovereign, viable and independent State of Palestine living side by side in peace and security with Israel.
“We firmly believe that only a two-state solution will deliver enduring peace that the people of Israel and Palestine desire and deserve. This should be achieved through direct negotiations between both sides on final status issues. Both sides must avoid any unilateral action which could prejudice these final status issues,” he said.
Naidu termed the recent diplomatic efforts to revive the stalled peace talks as encouraging and added that the meeting of the Quartet’s Special Envoys is timely. India urged the Quartet to initiate engagement with the Israeli and
the Palestinian leadership. “India welcomes all efforts, which are aimed at strengthening the collective commitment of the international community to resume direct negotiations and facilitate the peace process,” Naidu said.
Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and Personal Representative of the Secretary-General Tor Wennesland told the council meeting that the global community is focused on helping the parties return to the negotiating table.
Naidu also added that India is pleased to note that preparations for the Palestinian elections are moving forward. The Cairo agreement between the Palestinian parties on the conduct of parliamentary and presidential elections is a positive step in the right direction, he said.