The Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian has hailed the role of India in the geopolitical chessboard as a balanced power. This status of India, indeed gives it a diplomatic leverage to accelerate the peace prospects between Israel and Palestine which is entangled in a prolonged conflict. While speaking to a private media platform on the sidelines of the India-Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting(IAFMM), Palestinian Minister reiterated the paramount role of India as a peacemaker to resolve the the more than three years old Israel-Hamas conflict.
Minister Varsen Aghabekian asserted that India is uniquely positioned in the distorted geopolitical order, which has potential to act as a mediator to solve the Israel-Hamas conflict and bring in the peace and development to the devastated region of West Asia. She drew inspiration from the repeated assertion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that “this is not the era of war”. The foreign Minister of Palestine also hailed the massive inflow of humanitarian assistance to the conflict-ridden Gaza rendered by India. She also reiterated the invincible role of India in the various developmental projects of Gaza and the West Bank for decades now.
The Palestinian leader further exclaimed, “there is no more time for war”. She thus called for dialogue, diplomacy and respect for international law as the only solution to permanently denounce the conflict and assure peace and prosperity for the people residing in the tiny yet historically contested strip in West Asia. “India is friendly with both entities, Israel and Palestine and we think it can play a role in that regard”, the Minister thus deemed India as a potential peacemaker.
Permanent ceasefire & humanitarian aid is the priority
While speaking to the private media platform, the Foreign Minister of Palestine reiterated that despite a temporary ceasefire in place, the ground reality in Gaza is dire and dangerous. Violence can be escalated at any moment and there is no permanent peace. Thus, the lives of millions of innocent peace is at stake. So, the need of the hour in Gaza is a permanent peace and resolution for the conflict, the Minister added.
Currently, only a “partial ceasefire” is at operation, which has led to the reduction in the intensity of firing, death and other mishaps. However, killings and injuries have been continued though at a reduced scale. Thus, only a permanent peace mechanism will yield a lasting solution. And India has a pivotal role in this direction, the Minister of Palestine meant. She also urged for the relief and reconstruction efforts to commence immediately in the region severely devastated due to the conflict.
“Everything is destroyed. People need basic services – education, healthcare, food and shelter. Most people are living in tents or partially destroyed buildings that could collapse at any time”, the Minister of Palestine Varsen Aghabekian reiterated. She thus asserted that humanitarian aid is the most crucial aspect that is needed in Gaza with utmost urgency and priority. “India has been one of the first countries to send aid through Egypt. It has supported development projects in the West Bank and consistently stood for humanitarian principles”, the Minister thus hailed the humanitarian role of India.
Address the root cause to eradicate the violence
While speaking about the concerns over terrorism and the re-emergence of Hamas, Varsen Aghabekian reiterated that to achieve a sustainable solution and lasting peace, the root cause of the problem has to be addressed. “If people see a genuine path towards peace, where their rights are respected and their children have a future, all Palestinians will be for peace”, the Minister further added. She exclaimed that the motto of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation(PLO) is “no to violence and yes to solving issues around the table”. Minister Varsen Aghabekian highlighted the role of India in this path of channelising constructive and credible dialogues and diplomacy to seek permanent peace in Palestine.
During the interview, speaking about the India-Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, Minister Varsen Aghabekian asserted that her priority to be placed in the meeting with Indian leaders and other global counterparts was to achieve a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza along with immediate reconstruction and adherence to international law by every stakeholder. “If you believe in a two-state solution, you need to help Palestine materialise that state”, she added.
When asked about what message does the Foreign Minister of Palestine have for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Varsen Aghabekian said that “Do what is right based on your values and your great history. You have been for peace, for self-determination and you have been friends with both Palestine and Israel”. This confidence and trust that Palestine has towards India as a credible peacemaker illustrates the rising global prominence of India as a solid advocate of peace, dialogue and diplomacy across the fragile geopolitical spectrum.
