The President of the Palestinian National Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, arrived here today on a four-day visit to India. The highlight of his visit will be the the laying of the foundation stone of the Embassy of Palestine in Delhi.
India recognised the state of Israel only in 1992 but since then the relationship has grown with Israel now being the second largest arms supplier to India after Russia.
As sources in South Block point out, the gifting of the Embassy to the people of Palestine is also aimed at pacifying the countries of West Asia about India’s continued commitment to its friendship with the Muslim world.
The minister of external affairs, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, is going to visit Iran soon. Another indication of India’s aim to assure West Asia that despite the recent warmth in relations with the USA, India values its relationship with West Asia.
In a continued show of support for the PNA, India is planning to build Jawaharlal Nehru senior secondary school in the West Bank town of Abu Dis, set up a cardiac surgery centre and an IT park in Gaza and build the Prime Minister’s office in Ramallah as part of a $15 million aid package to the PNA.
This is President Abbas’s second visit to India since the UPA government came to power. Describing Indian democracy a “role model†for the Palestinian people, Mr Mahmoud Abbas has said the country can play an important role in West Asia’s peace process. Urging India to actively engage in the process, he said the “security and stability of our region directly affects the stability of their regionâ€.
Posted By Staff Reporter: Gurgaon City News
in Featured
0 comments