By IRNA,
New Delhi : India’s Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh Tuesday announced $ 20 million assistance to the Palestine.
“An assistance of $ 10 million to the Palestinian Authority as budgetary support to help it meet its immediate needs. India will also give $ 10 million as assistance for developmental projects”, Dr. Singh announced while affirming India’s consistent commitment to the Palestinian cause.
“India will continue to do all it can to assist Palestine in all its endeavours, including capacity building,” Singh said while laying the foundation stone for the Embassy of Palestine in New Delhi along with visiting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
The Embassy-cum-residential premises in the diplomatic enclave of Chanakyapuri is being built by India as a gift.
Singh, who held wide-ranging talks with visiting Palestinian National Authority (PNA) President Mahmoud Abbas here, said: “India favours a negotiated settlement that could result in a “sovereign, independent, viable and united state of Palestine living within secure and recognized borders side by side at peace with Israel”.
Describing his talks with Abbas as “very fruitful and productive talks,” the Prime Minister affirmed India’s “consistent support to negotiated settlement to the Palestinian issue”.
He said the settlement should be based on “relevant” UN resolutions, Arab peace plan and roadmap of the Quartet countries — the UN, the US, the European Union and Russia.
He regretted that the Anapolis conference last year, which India attended, did not help achieve the goal of peace.
He recalled that New Delhi’s commitment to the Palestine cause is rooted in history and goes back to the times of India’s own struggle for independence.
“India and Palestine have been steadfast in their relations and it is only fitting to have Embassy of Palestinian National Authority here,” Singh said, adding the Mission would “serve as a symbol of our friendship and solidarity.”
Appreciating New Delhi’s gestures, Abbas said “India is giving us support without us asking it… Whenever I come here, I am surprised to see more and more announcements of aid.”
Noting that relations between India and Palestine are developing with each day, Abbas said the New Delhi’s gestures reflect its deep commitment and support which goes back to many decades.
“India is playing an important role in all fields (concerning Palestine), including the peace process…We appreciate India’s support,” he said.
“In the political field, we are in total agreement and Indian and Palestinian positions are same,” he said.
Abbas hoped “God will give us opportunity to attain independence” so that Indian Embassy could be built in Jerusalem. “By doing that we will be doing very little than what India has done.” Addressing Singh, Abbas said “We would like to see you in Palestine as soon as possible”.