PM Modi reiterates India’s strong support for Palestinian cause

New Delhi: A day after Indian consul general in New York Sandeep Chakravorty had made comments — in a personal capacity — that advocated the implementation of the “Israel model” in Jammu and Kashmir causing much embarrassment to the ministry of external affairs (MEA), Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed “strong support’ and “solidarity” with the Palestinian cause and reiterated the Indian Government’s consistent stand that a “sovereign, independent, united and viable” Palestinian State be formed that would “co-exist peacefully with Israel”. PM Modi’s message was released at a function in the Capital on Thursday ahead of the International Solidarity Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People that is observed annually on November 29.

PM Modi’s message was read out by the MEA’s joint secretary (West Asia and North Africa) B. Bala Bhaskar in front of a gathering of Arab diplomats, in what is being seen as a reassurance to the Arab and Muslim world that New Delhi would continue to stand with the Palestinian cause. On the occasion, Palestinian ambassador Adnan Abu Alhaijaa expressed “gratitude to the government and people of India who stood by Palestine.”

The Palestinian envoy blasted the Trump administration and accusing it of “regional apartheid”. “The United States, with its malignant activities has pushed Europeans (too) to a corner. For decades. they (Europe and the US) were in a transatlantic alliance. Even they (the Europeans) have realised they cannot manage Cancer. You have to eradicate it,” the Pales-tinian envoy remarked. Lashing out at both the United States and Israel, the Palestinian envoy said, “Years of association (of the US) with Israel has rubbed off on it (the US)”. “There has been one right-wing coup after another in Latin America... Israel is lurking from behind the curtains,” the Palestinian envoy said.

Blasting the Trump administration in the US, the Palestinian ambassador said, “Palestine is not yours to give (to Israel). It is not Carolina or Virginia that can be given away. ... Palestinians know no fatigue and will resist (Israeli policies).”