He was the first head of state to stay overnight in Ramallah
President Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday reiterated India’s approach towards Israel and Palestine — continue to support the Palestine cause while pursuing improved relationship with Israel.
Speaking to the media team accompanying him, while returning from Israel, Mr. Mukherjee said Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas briefed him about the evolving situation in Israel-Palestine relations.
“I reiterated India’s principled support to the Palestine cause and called for a negotiated solution resulting in a sovereign, independent, viable and united state of Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital, living within secure and recognised borders, side by side at peace with Israel as endorsed in the Quartet Roadmap and relevant UNSC [UN Security Council] resolutions,” the President said.
He was referring to a peace plan proposed by the “Quartet on the Middle East” — the United States, the European Union, Russia and the United Nations.
President Mukherjee’s Palestine visit carried strong symbolic value as he was the first head of state who stayed overnight in Ramallah, where the Palestine Authority headquarters is based. “President Abbas appreciated our support and thanked me profusely for staying overnight in Ramallah, being the first head of state from any country to do so,” said Mr. Mukherjee.
At the same time, the President described Israel as “one of the most important countries for India.” During his visit, both countries signed two government-level agreements and exchanged eight memoranda of understanding between educational institutions from India and Israel.
Asked how India would manage its ties with both countries at a time when tensions are high between them, Mr. Mukherjee said: “Twenty-three years ago we established full diplomatic relationship with Israel. We also maintain our stated principled position on Palestine. That is the job the government is doing for the last two and a half decades.”
Asked about his comment in Israel that religion should not be the basis of state, Mr. Mukherjee cited Pakistan and Bangladesh. “Pakistan was created out of India on the basis of religion in 1947. Within 25 years a large chunk of people came out of Pakistan and became another state. That is the point I explained to the Israeli leader of opposition and other members.”
