Latest world news

India supports sovereign and independent Palestine

Published

8 years ago

February 10, 2018

India supports sovereign and independent Palestine

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]PM flown from Amman to Ramallah in a chopper under Jordanian and Israeli security escort

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has supported a “sovereign and independent Palestine” and expressed hope for the return of peace in the region during his meeting with Palestinian President Mehmoud Abbas in Ramallah on Saturday. He is the first Indian PM who visited Palestine without touching down in Tel Aviv.

Modi appreciated that Palestinian people have continuously shown exemplary courage in extremely tough times in spite of unstable environment. He said that “the way you moved forward in such a situation is praiseworthy, we appreciate it”.

On this occasion President Mehmoud abbas expressed his desire to engage in negotiations. He said “We rely on India’s role as an international force in the non-alignment movement and in the international for a, in a way that is conducive to desired peace in our region”.

He further said that “It is my honor to welcome you as a great guest, on your first historic visit to Palestine which holds, to you personally and to the people of India, sentiments of love and appreciation. Indian leadership has always stood by peace in Palestine”.[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_raw_html][/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]Modi skipped visit to Palestine while visiting Israel in July 2017 signaling his government’s decision to treat New Delhi’s relations with two countries as “mutually independent and exclusive”.

President Mahmoud Abbas conferred the “Grand Collar of the State of Palestine” order to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in recognition of his contribution to enhancing ties between India and Palestine.

This is the highest order given to given to foreign dignitaries – Kings, Heads of State or Government and persons of similar rank. King Salman of Saudi Arabia, King Hamad of Bahrain and President Xi Jinping of China are amongst those who were earlier conferred the same honor.

On his arrival in Ramallah, PM Modi tweeted, “this is a historic visit that will lead to stronger bilateral cooperation”. He placed a wreath at the mausoleum of the late Palestinian president Yasser Arafat.[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]JTNDYmxvY2txdW90ZSUyMGNsYXNzJTNEJTIydHdpdHRlci10d2VldCUyMiUyMGRhdGEtbGFuZyUzRCUyMmVuJTIyJTNFJTNDcCUyMGxhbmclM0QlMjJlbiUyMiUyMGRpciUzRCUyMmx0ciUyMiUzRUFidSUyMEFtbWFyJTIwd2FzJTIwb25lJTIwb2YlMjB0aGUlMjBncmVhdGVzdCUyMHdvcmxkJTIwbGVhZGVycy4lMjBIaXMlMjBjb250cmlidXRpb24lMjB0byUyMFBhbGVzdGluZSUyMCUyMGlzJTIwaGlzdG9yaWNhbC4lMjBIZSUyMHdhcyUyMGElMjBnb29kJTIwZnJpZW5kJTIwb2YlMjBJbmRpYS4lMjBJJTIwcGFpZCUyMHRyaWJ1dGVzJTIwdG8lMjBoaW0lMjBpbiUyMFJhbWFsbGFoLiUyMCUzQ2ElMjBocmVmJTNEJTIyaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ0LmNvJTJGM0UwYnhDQ1NqNSUyMiUzRXBpYy50d2l0dGVyLmNvbSUyRjNFMGJ4Q0NTajUlM0MlMkZhJTNFJTNDJTJGcCUzRSUyNm1kYXNoJTNCJTIwTmFyZW5kcmElMjBNb2RpJTIwJTI4JTQwbmFyZW5kcmFtb2RpJTI5JTIwJTNDYSUyMGhyZWYlM0QlMjJodHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnR3aXR0ZXIuY29tJTJGbmFyZW5kcmFtb2RpJTJGc3RhdHVzJTJGOTYyMjg5ODg4MjMzMjIyMTQ1JTNGcmVmX3NyYyUzRHR3c3JjJTI1NUV0ZnclMjIlM0VGZWJydWFyeSUyMDEwJTJDJTIwMjAxOCUzQyUyRmElM0UlM0MlMkZibG9ja3F1b3RlJTNFJTBBJTNDc2NyaXB0JTIwYXN5bmMlMjBzcmMlM0QlMjJodHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnBsYXRmb3JtLnR3aXR0ZXIuY29tJTJGd2lkZ2V0cy5qcyUyMiUyMGNoYXJzZXQlM0QlMjJ1dGYtOCUyMiUzRSUzQyUyRnNjcmlwdCUzRSUwQQ==[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump’s Jerusalem move causing loss of mediator’s credibility in the Middle East crisis has given a fillip to India’s position in the international arena. This was felt during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with Palestinian President Mehmoud Abbas in Ramallah on Saturday.

Before the two leader’s meeting a senior Palestinian official said that Mehmoud Abbas will ask PM Modi to support muli-county sponsorship that would enable to replace the US as sole mediator in future negotiations between Israel and Palestine.

Palestinian leader, while visiting New Delhi in May 2017, expressed desire that India play important role in influencing Israelis and other stake holders for peaceful resolution of the crisis.

Since US President Donald Trump has recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and asked Department of State to begin process of moving its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, Mehmoud Abbas has been reiterating that Washington has lost the credibility of playing mediator’s role in the conflict.

However, Palestinian leader has not received support for multi-national mechanism for mediating between Israelis and Palestinians.

Prime Minister took a chopper’s ride from Jordanian capital Amman to Ramallah in West Bank, the headquarters of Palestinian Authority. Reports say that PM Modi was escorted by Royal Jordanian helicopters and Israeli choppers on his journey to Palestine. Mehmoud Abbas is considered to be soft leader towards Western and Israeli approach towards Palestine considering they will fecilitate establishment of Palestine as independent state.

Ghaza, the other remaining Palestinian territory, is ruled by Hamas, considered to be pro-Iranian resistant group. Qatar has also been supportive of Hamas of late.

In Amman, PM Modi held “wonderful” meeting with Jordanian King Abdullah II that would boost bilateral ties. King described the meeting as the “beginning of a new chapter” in the ties between the two countries.

Reports say that talks between the two leaders covered the Palestinian cause and Jordan’s role in protecting Islamic and Christian sites in Jerusalem, based on Hashemite custodianship over the holy shrines.

Modi arrived in Amman on Friday. After visiting Palestine, he is scheduled to visit UAE and Oman.

In an attempt to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment and energy security, PM Narendra Modi is on four nation tour. He is scheduled to reach Abu Dhabi Saturday evening on the invitation of UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He will address World Government Summit in Dubai, where India is the Guest of Honor country. Meanwhile 12 agreements will be signed between the two countries. He will also visit a temple constructed by Indian community in that country.

Later, he will visit Muscat, the capital of Oman. Meetings with Indian Diaspora in UAE and Oman will also figure during the visit to these countries.

PM Narendra Modi’s Palestine visit came at a time when Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has recently visited India on a six day long landmark trip. Besides New Delhi, Netanyahu visited Agra, Ahmedabad and Mumbai.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Up Next

UN Head calls for de-escalation in Syria-Israel theatre

Don't Miss

Palestine to ask India to replace US as sole mediator in negotiations with Israel, says official

Latest world news

Netanyahu dismisses death rumours in video with US envoy, says I’m alive

Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu has denied viral claims about his death, appearing in a video with US envoy Mike Huckabee and mocking online conspiracy theories.

Published

23 hours ago

March 18, 2026

[email protected]

Israeli Prime Minister appears alongside US envoy, addresses conspiracy theories and ongoing conflict remarks

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly dismissed viral rumours about his death, appearing in a fresh video alongside US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee.

The video surfaced after days of speculation online, where misleading posts questioned his absence and circulated claims about altered footage showing him with “six fingers.”

In the clip, Huckabee jokes that US President Donald Trump had asked him to personally check on Netanyahu. Responding with humour, Netanyahu says, “Yes, Mike. Yes, I’m alive.”

Rumours and online claims gain traction

Speculation had intensified across social media as tensions escalated between Israel and Iran.

Some posts claimed Netanyahu had not been seen publicly, while others pointed to a previous video where his hand appeared unusual, fuelling conspiracy theories about manipulated or AI-generated footage.

Remarks on iran conflict

During the interaction, Netanyahu also made comments referencing Israeli strikes, mentioning Iranian figures including Ali Larijani and Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani.

Using a metaphorical tone, he spoke about “erasing names” from a list, while praising US support and reiterating Israel’s stance against Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Huckabee responded in a lighter tone, joking that his own name was not on the list, to which Netanyahu replied that he was among the “good guys.”

Earlier video mocked conspiracy

Before releasing this clip, Netanyahu had already addressed the rumours in another video posted online. Sitting at a café, he joked about being “dead for coffee,” using a phrase implying strong liking.

He also directly responded to the “six fingers” claim by showing both hands to the camera and inviting viewers to count his fingers.

The videos appear aimed at countering misinformation circulating online as geopolitical tensions continue in the region.

Latest world news

US strikes Iranian missile sites near Hormuz with 5,000-pound bunker buster bombs

US forces hit Iranian missile positions near the Strait of Hormuz using deep penetrator bombs to counter threats to global shipping.

Published

23 hours ago

March 18, 2026

[email protected]

In a major escalation aimed at restoring maritime movement, the United States has carried out airstrikes on Iranian missile positions near the Strait of Hormuz using powerful deep-penetration bombs.

The US military confirmed that multiple 5,000-pound bunker buster munitions were used to target hardened missile infrastructure along Iran’s coastline. According to an official statement, the sites housed anti-ship cruise missiles that posed a significant threat to international shipping in the strategic waterway.

The strikes mark the first major US military action to reopen the Strait of Hormuz after Iran reportedly shut it down in response to the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel.

Strait disruption triggers global concern

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global النفط transit route, with nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passing through it. Its closure has severely disrupted shipping activity and triggered a sharp rise in global energy prices.

The US action appears to be aimed at neutralising immediate threats to vessels and restoring safe passage through the region.

Allies reluctant to back US move

The development comes amid reports that several US allies, including NATO members, have declined calls from President Donald Trump to support efforts to secure the strait.

Expressing frustration, Trump criticised allies for not contributing even limited resources such as minesweepers, despite longstanding US support to NATO. He maintained that preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons remains a priority for global security.

However, Iran has consistently denied pursuing nuclear weapons, stating that its nuclear programme is intended solely for peaceful purposes, including energy production.

Use of bunker buster bombs

The bombs used in the operation are designed to destroy fortified or deeply buried targets. These 5,000-pound munitions, often referred to as bunker busters, are capable of penetrating hardened structures before detonation.

While powerful, they are smaller compared to the 30,000-pound bombs reportedly used by the US in previous strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

Latest world news

Top US counterterrorism official resigns over Iran war, cites conscience

Joseph Kent steps down as US counterterrorism chief, questioning the justification for the Iran war and citing moral concerns.

Published

1 day ago

March 17, 2026

[email protected]

A senior US national security official has stepped down in protest against the ongoing war with Iran, citing moral concerns and disagreement with the administration’s decision.

Joseph Kent, who headed the National Counterterrorism Center, resigned from his post, stating he could not support the conflict “in good conscience.” In his resignation letter, Kent argued that Iran did not pose an “imminent threat” to the United States.

He also alleged that external pressure, particularly from Israel and influential pro-war voices, played a role in shaping the decision to enter the conflict under President Donald Trump.

“I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran,” Kent wrote, adding that the US had been drawn into the conflict despite a lack of direct threat.

Kent further claimed that a “misinformation campaign” by senior Israeli officials and sections of the American media contributed to building support for military action. According to him, this created an “echo chamber” that influenced the president’s perception of Iran as an immediate danger.

In his letter, Kent said that until mid-2025, Trump had acknowledged that prolonged wars in the Middle East had drained US resources and cost lives. However, he suggested that this position shifted under sustained pressure and messaging.

He urged the president to reconsider the course of action, warning that the conflict could push the country toward instability. “You can reverse course and chart a new path for our nation, or allow us to slip further toward decline and chaos,” he wrote.

Kent’s resignation marks the first high-level departure from the administration directly linked to the Iran war.

As head of the National Counterterrorism Center, Kent was responsible for analysing and monitoring terrorist threats. His tenure, however, had been controversial. He was confirmed to the role last year by a narrow Senate vote, facing strong opposition from Democrats over his past associations.

Critics had raised concerns about his links to far-right figures and his stance on conspiracy theories. During his earlier political campaign, Kent had professional associations with individuals connected to extremist groups, which became a point of contention during his confirmation hearings.