PM supports Palestine statehood

India on Saturday gave an assertion of chartering an independent foreign policy course during the 20-minute address of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh before the General Assembly of the United Nations.

Watched by members of his family and the Indian official delegation in full strength, the Prime Minister spoke about a “deficit in global governance” and the “negative dimensions” of globalisation and global inter-dependence, which the world, he said, a few years ago had taken for granted. He thus took his theory of inequitable distribution of the benefits of globalisation forward — which he had introduced in his 2008 address to the General Assembly.

Speaking just a day after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who announced the dispatch of his application for membership to the United Nations, Singh treated the statehood issue as an achievable future target and said, “We look forward to welcoming Palestine as an equal member of the United Nations.”

He reiterated that India was “steadfast” in its support for the struggle of the Palestine people and added that the united State of Palestine should choose East Jerusalem as its capital and live “within secure and recognisable borders side by side and at peace with Israel”.

As was expected, Singh raised the pitch for India’s campaign for permanent membership of the Security Council, for which it has been actively canvassing as an existing non-permanent member.

“The reform and expansion of the Security Council are essential if it is to reflect contemporary reality. Such an outcome will enhance the Council’s credibility and effectiveness in dealing with global issues,” the Prime Minister asserted. “Early reform of the Security Council must be pursued with renewed vigour and urgently enacted, the principal organs (of the United Nations) — the General Assembly and the Security Council — must be revitalised and reformed.”

Without mentioning the United States or the recent political turmoil in Libya or Syria, Singh recalled that internationalism and multilateralism were the key principles on which the United Nations was founded. He thus cautioned, “Societies cannot be reordered from outside through military force. People in all countries have the right to choose their own destiny and decide their own future, the international community has a role to play in assisting in the processes of transition and institution building, but the idea that prescriptions have to be imposed from outside is fraught with danger.”

It was after this preface that Singh dwelled at length about the role India was playing in inclusive and sustainable development as well as the manner in which it has recently strengthened its partnership with Least Developed Countries and Africa. “A fast growing India can expand the boundaries for the global economy. A democratic, plural and secular India can contribute to tolerance and peaceful co-existence among nations.”

The only reference made to terrorism in the address was the recent assassination of Burhanuddin Rabbani in Kabul which Singh referred to as a “chilling reminder” of the enemies of peace in Afghanistan. He also cautioned the members of the United Nations against having a “selective approach in dealing with terrorist groups”, an obvious reference to Pakistan

Thanks: www.indianexpress.com - Sun Sep 25 2011