India has criticised the UN Security Council for being a mere “standby witness” to the escalating tensions between Israel and Palestine, saying the Council’s effectiveness in dealing with crises has been brought into question.
“The situation in the Middle East region continues to remain fragile and unpredictable with unprecedented changes in several countries in the region...We have seen that the Council has at best been a standby witness to phases of escalation and relative calm which has become characteristic of this unsettled issue,” visiting Member of Parliament Kamlesh Paswan said at an open debate in the UN Security Council on the situation in the Middle East here on Thursday.
He said the effectiveness of the Council has consequently been brought into question. “We join others in urging the Council to step up its efforts and take the lead in resolving this problem,” he said.
He reiterated India’s support for a negotiated solution resulting in a sovereign, independent, viable and united State of Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital, living within secure and recognised borders, side by side at peace with Israel.
Paswan said the recent State visit by Indian President Pranab Mukerjee to Palestine reinforced India’s strong commitment to the Palestinian cause and renewed its political and diplomatic support to Palestine.
He voiced India’s distress and sadness at the loss of lives in the region and welcomed efforts to mitigate the situation. He urged both sides to exercise restraint to reduce the level of tensions and create a conducive environment for resumption of peace talks.