India: Why is Security Council a standby witness to Middle East peace?

Voicing concern over the slowdown in peace process in the Middle East, India has criticised the UN Security Council for being a “standby witness” to the unsettled issue. During a Security Council session on the Israel-Palestine conflict, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asoke Mukerji said the powerful 15-member UN body has been “at best been a standby witness to phases of escalation and relative calm which has become characteristic of this unsettled issue.”

While questioning the effectiveness of the council in resolving the matter, Mr Mukerji urged the council to step up its efforts and take the lead in resolving the problem, and underlined that India believes that dialogue is the only solution to the ongoing impasse in the strife-torn region. Mr. Mukerji also exhorted all sides to show restraint, avoid provocation and return to the peace process after the Gaza conflict in 2014.

While remaining hopeful that both sides would resume the peace process and find a solution to the Palestine issue, India also voiced deep concerns about the growing rise of extremist terror outfits such as the ISIL in the northern parts of Iraq and Syria.

Putting to rest the speculation about the government’s policy towards the Palestine cause due to its growing relationship with Israel, Mr Mukerji re-affirmed “India’s support for the cause of Palestine and solidarity with the Palestinian people for their struggle for a sovereign, independent, viable and a united State of Palestine within secure and recognised borders side-by-side and at peace with Israel with East Jerusalem as its capital.”

India has proactively supported the development of Palestine. Recently, a new school for girls, Jawaharlal Nehru Secondary School for Girls in Asera Al-Shamalyeh was inaugurated in Palestine.

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