India increases aid to Palestinian people’s development
India has been implementing several development projects in Palestine, including the construction of a super-speciality hospital, a women’s empowerment project, supply of equipment for the National Printing Press of Palestine, and the construction of schools for Palestinian children. These projects amount to a total cost of $41.35 million.
In a statement to the upper House of Parliament, Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan highlighted that India has been a founder member of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People (CEIRPP) of the United Nations since its inception in 1975. He also emphasized India’s unwavering support for the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people to establish an independent Palestinian state.
Apart from these projects, India has also initiated four Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) in Palestine, which are either completed or at an advanced stage of completion. These projects include the renovation and rehabilitation of the Yasser Arafat Square in Ramallah, the integration of technology into education in eight schools, the setting up of a nursery in Beitunia municipality, and the development of a children’s park in Aqraba municipality.
Under its Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme (ITEC), India provides 150 slots for training Palestinians in diverse sectors and gives 50 scholarships to Palestinian students to pursue university education in India every year. This highlights India’s commitment to the socio-economic development of Palestine and to promote human resource development in the region.
Furthermore, India donates $5 million annually to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for the Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and has contributed a total of $25 million through this route since 2018. This aid is crucial in providing essential services to the Palestinian refugees and helps to alleviate their plight.
India’s support to Palestine is not only limited to aid and assistance but also extends to its unwavering support to the Palestinian cause at the international level. India has consistently advocated for a peaceful solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict and has supported Palestine’s bid for full membership in the United Nations.
India’s contribution to the development of Palestine is significant, and its unwavering support to the Palestinian people is commendable. India’s aid and assistance have helped to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people and promote their socio-economic development. With its continued support, India can play a crucial role in ensuring peace and stability in the region.
