India’s support to Palestine cause unwavering, says PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday India’s support to the Palestinian cause is “unwavering” as he hosted President Mahmoud Abbas ahead of his visit to Israel in July.
Modi said India hopes to see a sovereign, united and an independent Palestine, coexisting peacefully with Israel and urged for early resumption of talks between Palestinian and Israeli representatives.
“The relationship between India and Palestine is built on the foundation of long-standing solidarity and friendship since the days of our own freedom struggle,” Modi said, addressing a joint press conference with Abbas.
“We hope to see the realisation of a sovereign, independent, united and viable Palestine, co-existing peacefully with Israel. I have reaffirmed our position on this to President Abbas,” he added.
Modi’s remarks come ahead of his scheduled visit to Israel, the first Indian PM to visit the Jewish state. His government has been stepping up ties with Israel, and this year marks the 25th anniversary of India-Israel ties.
President Abbas said Palestine appreciates the solidarity India extends to its cause.
“India is a friend. It has influence at the international level. India can play an important role (in the resolving Palestine Israel crisis,” Abbas said.
He also said he had meetings with US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin and discussed possibilities of an early resolution to the dispute with a two-state solution.