NEW DELHI: The State of Palestine has welcomed external affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar’s announcement that India will establish major development projects for the Palestinian people. It was announced during the launch of India’s campaign for election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for 2028 to 2029, following India’s commitments at the Palestine Donor Group meeting in Brussels.The commitment consists of three projects, including a speciality hospital, an artificial limb fitment centre and a vocational training institute.In a press statement issued on Wednesday, the Embassy of the State of Palestine in India described the announcement as a significant step towards supporting Palestinians, particularly those affected by the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.“The Embassy of the State of Palestine warmly welcomes the announcement by hon’ble external affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar of India’s commitment to establish three major development projects for the Palestinian people, a Speciality Hospital, an Artificial Limb Fitment Centre, and a Vocational Training Institute. The announcement was made during the launch of India’s campaign for election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (2028–2029), following India’s commitments at the Palestine Donor Group meeting in Brussels.”The embassy said the projects come at a time when Palestinians are facing severe humanitarian challenges, especially in the Gaza Strip, where healthcare infrastructure has been heavily damaged during the ongoing conflict.“This important announcement comes at a time when the Palestinian people, particularly in the Gaza Strip, continue to endure one of the gravest humanitarian catastrophes of our time as a result of Israel’s ongoing genocidal war and the devastating policies of the Israeli occupation. Gaza’s healthcare system has been systematically devastated. Hospitals and medical facilities have been destroyed or rendered inoperable, healthcare workers have been killed, injured, or detained, essential medicines and medical supplies remain critically scarce, and hundreds of thousands of civilians continue to suffer without access to adequate healthcare. At the same time, thousands of Palestinians who have lost limbs during Israel’s military campaign are in urgent need of rehabilitation, prosthetic services, and long-term medical care.”According to the embassy, India’s proposed speciality hospital and artificial limb fitment centre would strengthen healthcare services and support rehabilitation efforts for those most severely affected.It added that the vocational training institute would help equip young Palestinians with skills needed to rebuild their communities and revive the economy after the destruction caused by the conflict.The embassy also welcomed India’s reaffirmation of its long-standing support for a negotiated two-state solution, the State of Palestine’s full membership in the United Nations, and continued humanitarian and development assistance for the Palestinian people.“The Embassy of the State of Palestine expresses its sincere gratitude to the Government and the people of India for their continued friendship, humanitarian support, and steadfast commitment to peace, justice, international law, and the two-State solution.”The statement was issued by the Embassy of the State of Palestine in New Delhi on July 15.
