By IANS
Hyderabad : India should be invited to the proposed international peace conference on the Middle East, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said here Wednesday.
During a brief stopover here for refuelling of his aircraft en route to the West Bank from Brunei, Abbas said India could play a greater role in facilitating a lasting peace in the Middle East.
He told reporters that India as a key regional power had good ties with all and this could help in pushing the peace process forward.
“We hope India will be invited. In fact all of us will work for this. India’s participation will be important for the conference to succeed,” Abbas said.
The conference called by US President George W. Bush is expected to take place in Annapolis, Maryland, by the year-end to revive the peace process between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
Abbas was met by Indian envoy for Middle East peace process Chinmaya Gharekhan at the Hyderabad airport.
“India has been our friend for a long time, helping us in all spheres including economic and political. We expect their help here as well,” Abbas said when asked what role did he envisage for India in the peace process.
He briefed Gharekhan on the latest developments in the Middle East and the importance of India’s participation in the proposed peace conference.
Gharekhan briefed Abbas about India’s position on the peace process and renewed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s invitation to him to visit India. The invitation was accepted.