‘India’s Palestine Policy In Preceding 20 Months Lacks Moral Rectitude’

As Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom moved to recognise Palestine as a state, the Indian National Congress sharply criticised the Narendra Modi government, accusing it of abandoning India’s proud legacy on the issue. The Congress described New Delhi’s stance over the past 20 months as “shameful” and a retreat into “moral cowardice” from a nation that once stood firmly for justice and humanity.

Congress communications chief Jairam Ramesh highlighted the contrast between India’s historic position and recent developments abroad. “Australia, Canada, and the UK have only now awakened to recognise Palestine as a state — with many more nations likely to follow in their footsteps before long,” he said on X. “India formally recognised Palestinian statehood way back on 18 November 1988.”

Ramesh did not hold back in his criticism of the current government’s approach. “But India’s policy in regard to Palestine — especially for the past 20 months — has been shameful and one of moral cowardice,” he added, in an apparent reference to India’s muted response amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, former Congress general secretary, echoed these sentiments, reminding the nation of its early and principled stand. “India was among the earliest nations to raise its voice for justice, standing tall in November 1988 as one of the first to recognise Palestine as a state,” she said on X. “At the time, and in fact all along the valiant struggle of the Palestinian people, we showed the world the way by standing for what was right and upholding the values of humanity and justice on the international stage.”

She lamented the delay by other countries in following India’s lead. “Australia, Canada, and the UK have only just followed suit, 37 years too late,” Gandhi said. “And here we are now — our policy towards Palestine in the last 20 months has been nothing less than shameful and devoid of moral rectitude. It’s a sad diminishment of a previously courageous stand.”

The Congress leaders’ remarks came shortly after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the UK would formally recognise a Palestinian state. This move defied strong opposition from both the United States and Israel and was seen as part of a coordinated initiative by Commonwealth nations, following similar announcements from Canada and Australia.

The Congress has been vocal in its criticism of the Modi government’s handling of the Israel-Palestine conflict. Last month, the party “very strongly deplored” the government’s “complete silence on Israel’s unacceptable actions.” In August, Priyanka Gandhi accused Israel of committing “genocide” and slammed the Indian government for standing “silent” as Israel “unleashes devastation” on the Palestinian people.

Meanwhile, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh reiterated in July that India supports a negotiated two-state solution. “India has always supported the establishment of a sovereign, independent, and viable state of Palestine within secure and recognised borders, living side by side in peace with Israel,” he said in a written response to a Rajya Sabha query.

Singh also condemned the terror attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023 and expressed concern over the loss of civilian lives in the ongoing conflict. “India remains deeply concerned over the fraught security situation,” he said, urging “a ceasefire, the safe release of all hostages, and a just resolution of the conflict through patient dialogue and principled diplomacy.”

The contrasting narratives highlight the complex diplomatic balancing act India is attempting amid growing international pressure and domestic political debate.