India backs Palestine’s bid for full membership of United Nations

India on Wednesday said it hoped that Palestine’s application to become a full member of the United Nations would be reconsidered and endorsed.

New Delhi also reiterated its long-standing support for a two-state solution – which would entail creating a Palestinian state separate from the state of Israel – to resolve the conflict in the region.

On April 18, the United States blocked a draft resolution recommending that the United Nations General Assembly hold a vote to allow Palestine to join the international organisation as a full member.

The resolution received 12 votes in favour, while Switzerland and the United Kingdom abstained from voting. To be adopted, the resolution required nine votes in favour and no vetoes from the permanent members – China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Palestine currently has a “Permanent Observer” status at the United Nations. The designation allows it to speak at United Nations General Assembly meetings, but not to vote on resolutions.

Speaking at the General Assembly on Wednesday, India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ruchira Kamboj said: “While we have noted that Palestine’s application for membership at the United Nations was not approved by the Security Council because of the aforesaid veto, I would like to state here at the very outset that...

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