New Delhi: In the wake of the United States under the Trump Administration recognising Jerusalem as Israel’s Capital and planning to move the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, India on Thursday made it clear that it had no such intention of following suit. In a brief statement, the ministry of external affairs said in New Delhi, “India’s position on Palestine is independent and consistent. It is shaped by our views and interests, and not determined by any third country.” Observers see this as a indication that the Indian embassy will continue to remain located in Tel Aviv which is recognised by almost all countries as Israel’s capital.
This is despite the fact that India currently enjoys extremely close strategic ties with both the US and Israel. This also comes at a time when the even the European allies of the US are shocked and stunned by President Donald Trump’s decision. It may be recalled that in May this year, while hosting the visiting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi, Narendra Modi had said that “India has been unwavering in its support of the Palestinian cause” and had added that New Delhi hopes to see a “sovereign, independent, united and viable Palestine, co-existing peacefully with Israel”. The Palestininan President was also described then by PM Modi as “an old friend of India”. The statements by MEA showed that even under the Modi Government, India has continued the Nehruvian policy of support to the Palestinian cause.
