Back India’s Traditional Stand of Supporting Palestinian Interests: CPI MP Binoy Vishwam Writes to MEA – News18

CPI MP Binoy Vishwam urged the Ministry of External Affairs to ensure that the central government stays committed to India’s traditional stand of supporting the legitimate interests of Palestine for a life of dignity, respect and human rights.

In a letter to External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, the Member of Parliament sought his intervention regarding the safety and security of Indian citizens stranded in the West Asian region amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. He requested MEA’s intervention in an immediate evacuation process to safely rescue Indians from the war-like situation.

“There are thousands of Indian citizens in the region as workers, small businessmen, students and tourists. A significant number of them are from the state of Kerala. In the event of recent attacks and counterattacks by Israeli security forces and Hamas, the lives of these Indian citizens are in danger,” the letter said.

“It’s painful for Indians that the Indian Government was quick in announcing support to Israel instead of ensuring the safety of Indian citizens first,” it added.

Vishwam said, in his letter, that India’s historic ties with countries in West Asia and our championing of the cause of self-determination have earned traditional goodwill for us.

“I also urge you to ensure that the Government stays committed to India’s traditional stance of supporting the legitimate interests of Palestine for a life of dignity, respect and human rights. India’s efforts on legitimate forums to ensure permanent peace in the region by upholding relevant United Nations resolutions for the two-states solution with pre-1967 borders and East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine will prove valuable in ensuring lasting tranquillity in the region,” it said.

Earlier in the day, the Congress extended support for Palestinians, a day after it “condemned” the “brutal attacks on the people of Israel” by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

A resolution passed during the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting today expressed anguish on the conflict and called for a ceasefire. The resolution supported the rights of the Palestinian people.

Around 1,200 people in total have died in the fighting between Hamas and Israeli defence forces since Saturday.

An official statement by the Congress party stressed the process of “dialogue and negotiations” to resolve the conflict between Israel and Palestine.