Harish has a link to Palestine, as he was India’s Representative to the Palestinian Authority stationed in Gaza City, a place now in ruins after Israeli attacks. Continuing in Arabic, he said, “India is firmly committed to efforts that make a tangible impact on the daily lives of the Palestinians”. “At the Palestine donor group meeting in Brussels this month, India committed to setting up a speciality hospital, an artificial limb fitment centre and a vocational training institute for Palestine”, he added. “Even as we work on alleviating the humanitarian distress of the Palestinian people, we should simultaneously press ahead for a sustainable and durable political solution”, Harish said. “India believes that a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine living side by side in peace with Israel, within secure and recognised borders, is essential to a comprehensive and lasting solution”, he said.