General Assembly Security Council

 

STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR ASOKE K. MUKERJI, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE,  AT  THE OPEN DEBATE ON ‘THE SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST, INCLUDING THE PALESTINIAN QUESTION’ IN THE SECURITY COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 21, 2014

 

Thank you Madam President,

Let me begin by congratulating you for ably steering the Council as the President for this month and expressing our appreciation for convening this quarterly open-debate on ‘the situation in the Middle East including the Palestinian Question’. I would also like to thank Secretary General for his comprehensive briefing.

 

Madam President,

2.  When the council held its open debate in July 2014 on this agenda item, we were faced with an unfortunate situation of resumption of the tragic and steeply escalated conflict in Gaza which resulted in a large number of civilian casualties and heavy damage to property. 

 

3.  We in India on our part had called upon both sides to exercise maximum restraint and avoid taking actions that may further exacerbate the situation and threaten the peace and security of the region. We remain hopeful that the current ceasefire will be sustainable and both sides will resume the peace process soon, for a comprehensive resolution of the Palestinian issue.

 

Madam President,

4.  India’s deep association with, and continuing commitment to, Palestine is rooted in our modern history that goes back to our struggle for independence.  We would also like to reiterate our support for a negotiated solution to the Israeli Palestinian issue based on the relevant UN resolutions, the Arab Peace Plan and the Quartet Roadmap resulting in a sovereign, independent, viable and united state of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital, living within secure and recognized borders, side by side and at peace with Israel.

 

5.  Apart from strong political support to the Palestinian cause at international, regional and bilateral levels, India has been contributing economic and developmental assistance to the Palestinian people. It is in keeping with its efforts, India pledged US$ 4 million in response to the National Early Recovery and Reconstruction Plan for Gaza presented by Palestinian Authority during the Cairo Conference on Palestine and Reconstructing Gaza held recently in this month on October 12, 2014.

 

Madam President,

6.  India remains firmly convinced that dialogue remains the only viable option that can effectively address the issues confronting the region and its people.  We hope that both sides will demonstrate the necessary political will to return to the negotiating table and resume dialogue.

 

Madam President,

 

7.  We are also deeply concerned with the activities of radicalized and extremist groups in the northern parts of Iraq and Syria, with dangerous exacerbation of sectarian and extremist tensions, critically impacting on the peace and stability of the region. Efforts must be taken by all parties and stakeholders in the region to curb these trends. We believe consolidation of political processes and solutions while building durable state institutions will be effective way of addressing such extremism and radicalism in the region.

 

 

Madam President,

8.  On Syria, we have consistently supported a Syrian-led, comprehensive political solution to the ongoing crisis, in alignment with the Geneva Communiqué of 2012.  We continue to urge all parties to demonstrate the requisite political will, exercise restraint, and commit to seeking common ground in accommodating their differences.

 

 

I thank you.