Press Release No. 59

30 September 2007

On the visit of Minister of State for External Affairs Mr. E. Ahamed to Jordan and Palestine

Hon'ble Minister of State for External Affairs, who is currently on an official tour to Jordan and Palestine called on His Majesty King Abdullah-II Bin Al-Hussain, the ruler of Jordan in Amman on 27 September. He personally handed over a letter addressed by the Hon'ble President of India to the King. The two leaders discussed various issues of bilateral, regional and international importance. Mr. Ahamed reiterated India's desire to strengthen the relations with Jordan in all areas, in particular in trade and economic exchanges. Investment in the area of joint production of fertilisers and cooperation in other commercial areas figured prominently among the discussions. The King referred to his visit to India in December last year as ‘exceptionally successful’ and recalled the great warmth shown by the Indian side during the visit.

Mr. Ahamed also visited Palestine and met Dr. Rafique Al-Husseini, the Chief of Staff of President, Dr. Ahmed Soboh, Deputy Foreign Minister of Palestine and Dr. Nimmer Hamad, senior Political Advisor to the Palestinian President to discuss bilateral relations between India and Palestine and to exchange views on the progress in the Middle East Peace Process. The Palestinian side highly appreciated India’s unwavering support to the Palestinian cause and its consistent stand on the Palestinian issue. MoS expressed hope that a negotiated settlement would soon be reached to achieve the aspirations of Palestinians to have their own viable independent Palestinian state within separate and recognized borders, living side by side in peace with all its neighbours including Israel. The International Conference on Palestine which is expected to be held in November this year also came up during the discussions.

New Delhi

September 28, 2007