Why is it in news?

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has requested the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to mediate in the ongoing Israel-Palestine on the eve of Indian PM’s visit to Palestine.

Details

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Palestine this week is “historic” and is said to be important in the West Asian peace process, indicating a greater role for India in the political process with the decline of the U.S. role in mediation.
• Since the recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital by the United States, Palestinians have lost trust on the US’s ability and intent on resolving the Israel-Palestine issue. Palestine is now inviting other global powers such as the European countries and India to mediate the Issue.
• Such a stance of Palestine towards India is significant as it comes during a period of intensive engagement between New Delhi and West Asia. It also signifies Palestine’s trust on India despite India’s recent closeness with Israel and bilateral visits from both countries. 
• India is also preparing for three high-level visits, from the region’s most powerful leaders, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Jordanian King Abdullah II in February, and Saudi King Salman later this year.
• Calling the renewed engagement in West Asia as “smart diplomacy” by India, Mr. El-Khaldi, a Palestinian official, said that India was one of the “few countries in the world” that had no problems with most of the countries in the region.

About the Israel-Palestine conflict

• The Israel-Palestine conflict is the ongoing struggle between Israelis and Palestinians that began in the mid-20th century.
• The origins to the conflict can be traced back to Jewish immigration, and sectarian conflict in Mandatory Palestine between Jews and Arabs.
• It has been referred to as the world's "most intractable conflict", with the ongoing Israeli occupation of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip reaching 51 years.

Conclusion

·         By such statements from Palestine, India has proven itself as a responsible, capable and reliable power which now holds the capability to assume a larger role in the international community.

·         The upcoming visit of the Indian Prime Minister to Palestine will be a balancing act in India’s relations with the countries of the region. Now it remains to be seen how well India can balance its relations.

·         India should take up and successfully fulfill the role of a mediator in Israel-Palestine conflict. This would further bolster India’s image as a rapidly growing and yet, responsible superpower in the international community.

Source

The Hindu