On Friday, India took a significant step by supporting a crucial resolution at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), which allows Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to address the upcoming high-level session through a video message. This decision was made following the United States' refusal to issue visas to Palestinian officials, rendering their physical presence impossible.
Entitled 'Participation by the State of Palestine,' the resolution saw backing from 145 countries in the 193-member assembly, while opposition came from the United States, Israel, and three other nations, with six countries abstaining from the vote. India stood among the nations endorsing this resolution.
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The resolution stipulates that President Abbas will contribute to the 80th session's General Debate on September 25, with his pre-recorded message played in the assembly hall. The General Debate commences on September 23. According to the proposal, if Palestinian representatives are impeded from attending in person, Palestine may send a video message from its President or a high-level representative to any UN conference or meeting.
Video Messages Allowed At Peace Conference
The international conference 'Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and Implementation of the Two-State Solution,' scheduled for September 22, also grants Palestine the approval to send video messages. The general assembly expressed regret over the American action, branding it as an impediment to Palestinian representatives' participation.
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India and Palestine Relations
Palestine currently holds the 'non-member observer state' status at the United Nations, a designation it has maintained since 2012. This status permits it to partake in meetings but without voting rights. There are only two 'non-member observer states' globally – Palestine and the Holy See. India was among the first nations to recognize Palestine in 1988 and has been a steadfast supporter of the two-state solution.
