The President of Palestine, Mr. Mahmoud Abbas is in New Delhi on a State Visit to India .He arrived last night.It is his fourth visit to the country and second State Visit.External Affairs Spokesperson said in New Delhi that during the present visit, both sides will sign MOUs for cooperation in ICT, vocational training and constructing schools in Palestine.
The visit will also provide an opportunity for reviewing the entire gamut of bilateral relations, the Middle East Peace Process, regional and international issues of common concern and in particular the political turmoil in West Asia.
Mr. Abbas is being accompanied by a delegation comprising senior Ministers including Dr. Saeb M.S. Erakat, PLO Executive Committee Member, and Mr. Nabil G.O. Aburudainah, President’s Advisor. The visit includes meeting with President, Delegation level talks with PM, calls by Vice President, and External Affairs Minister amongst other engagements.
India's solidarity with the Palestinian people and its support for the Palestinian cause go back in time.India has extended its consistent and unwavering support to the Palestinian issue. In line with support for UN Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338, India supports a negotiated solution resulting in a sovereign, independent, viable and united State of Palestine living within secure and recognized borders, side by side at peace with Israel as endorsed in the Quartet Roadmap and UNSC Resolutions 1397 & 1515. India has supported the Arab Peace Plan, which calls for withdrawal of Israel to pre-1967 borders, along with recognition of Israel and the establishment of the State of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital. India has called for an end to illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories and had welcomed the ‘direct talks’ between the Israelis and the Palestinians.
India has always extended its support to Palestine in multilateral fora. India strongly supported the Palestinian application for membership of UN in 2011. India also supported Palestine in gaining membership in UNESCO in October 2011.
Apart from strong political support to the Palestinian cause at international, regional and bilateral levels, India has also been contributing, since long time, material and technical assistance to the Palestinian people.