By_shalini oraon
This query refers to a real event that took place in early 2020.
Here is a detailed breakdown of the context, the plan itself, and the significance of PM Modi’s call.
Context of the Phone Call
The phone call occurred on January 22, 2020, just a day after U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unveiled the peace proposal, officially titled “Peace to Prosperity: A Vision to Improve the Lives of the Palestinian and Israeli People.”
This event was highly significant for several reasons:
· Timing for Netanyahu: He was in the midst of a tough re-election campaign and a close ally of Trump.
· U.S. Presidential Election: Trump was also campaigning for re-election and touting this as a major foreign policy achievement.
· India’s Stance: India has traditionally supported the Palestinian cause but has developed a strong strategic partnership with Israel under PM Modi.
What Was the “Historic Gaza Peace Plan”?
The plan, often called the “Trump Peace Plan” or the “Deal of the Century,” was a proposal to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Its key elements were:
1. Recognition of Israeli Sovereignty over Settlements: It proposed allowing Israel to annex all its settlements in the West Bank and the Jordan Valley.
2. A Palestinian State with Conditions: It envisioned the creation of a demilitarized Palestinian state, but with its capital in the outskirts of East Jerusalem (Abu Dis) and with Israel maintaining security control over the Jordan Valley and its borders.
3. No Right of Return: It rejected the right of return for Palestinian refugees to Israel.
4. Jerusalem: It recognized a united Jerusalem as Israel’s undivided capital.
5. Gaza: The plan required Gaza to be disarmed by Hamas as a precondition.
Crucially, the plan was rejected outright by the Palestinian Authority and Hamas, who were not consulted in its formulation. They viewed it as heavily biased in favor of Israel.
Analysis of PM Modi’s Statement and Its Significance
PM Modi’s phone call and his specific word choices were strategically important for India:
· Congratulating his “Friend”: Referring to Trump as a “friend” highlighted the close personal and strategic rapport between the two leaders, which was a cornerstone of India’s foreign policy at the time.
· Endorsement of the Plan: By calling it a “historic peace plan” and congratulating Trump on its “success,” India was offering a de facto endorsement. This marked a subtle but notable shift from India’s traditional, more neutral stance.
· Strengthening Ties with Israel: The call with Netanyahu, alongside the one with Trump, reinforced India’s strong and growing partnership with Israel across defense, technology, and agriculture.
· Balancing Act: While endorsing the plan, India also reiterated its long-standing support for the Palestinian cause. In his conversation with President Mahmoud Abbas of Palestine a few days later, PM Modi assured him that India remained committed to a “sovereign, independent and viable Palestine.”
· Strategic Alignment with the U.S.: The endorsement was seen as aligning India with the U.S. vision for the Middle East, which was a key strategic objective for the Trump administration.
Outcome and Legacy
The “historic peace plan” ultimately failed to gain any traction:
· It was universally rejected by the Palestinians.
· It faced significant international criticism for being one-sided.
· The subsequent change in the U.S. administration in 2021 meant the plan was shelved by President Joe Biden.
However, PM Modi’s phone call remains a significant moment in Indian diplomacy, illustrating its evolving foreign policy and its ability to maintain strong relationships with all sides in a complex conflict—the U.S., Israel, and the Palestinian Authority.