India demonstrated its support for Palestine’s aspirations for full membership in the United Nations by endorsing a draft resolution presented in the United Nations General Assembly. The resolution, proposed by the United Arab Emirates on behalf of the Arab Group, garnered an overwhelming vote of 143-9, with 25 abstentions, during an emergency special session convened for this purpose.
However, despite the widespread support for the resolution, it faced a setback as the United States exercised its veto power to oppose it, aligning with Israel’s stance on the matter, ultimately leading to its failure.
The resolution emphasized Palestine’s fulfillment of the necessary criteria for UN membership, as outlined in Article 4 of the UN Charter. It called upon the Security Council to reconsider Palestine’s application for membership, signaling a collective push towards recognizing Palestine as a full-fledged member of the international body.
India’s backing of Palestine’s quest for sovereignty stems from a longstanding commitment to the Palestinian cause. India holds the distinction of being the first non-Arab state to officially recognize the Palestine Liberation Organization in 1974. Furthermore, it was among the earliest countries to extend recognition to the State of Palestine in 1988. In a tangible display of solidarity, India established a representative office in Gaza in 1996, subsequently relocating it to Ramallah in 2003, underscoring its unwavering support for the Palestinian people.
Despite previous setbacks, including the Security Council’s rejection of Palestine’s membership application due to a veto by a permanent member, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj, expressed optimism regarding Palestine’s eventual attainment of full UN membership.
In addition to advocating for Palestine’s full membership, the resolution outlined provisions granting Palestine enhanced participation rights in the UN General Assembly. Starting from the 79th General Assembly session scheduled for September, Palestine is slated to enjoy expanded privileges, including the right to sit among member states and the opportunity to vie for positions as officers in General Assembly committees.
Presently, Palestine holds the status of a non-member observer state at the UN, a designation it acquired in 2012. This status, shared only with the Holy See, affords Palestine the opportunity to participate in UN proceedings, albeit without voting rights on resolutions. The proposed resolution seeks to elevate Palestine’s status within the UN framework, recognizing its rightful place among the community of nations and affirming its legitimate aspirations for self-determination and statehood
