Press Release No. 48

5 October 2008

On the State Visit of the President of the Palestinian National Authority, His Excellency Mahmoud Abbas,

6 - 9 October, 2008

    The President of the Palestinian National Authority, H. E. Mahmoud Abbas, accompanied by the Foreign Minister of the PNA, Dr. Riyad Al-Maliki and other senior officials, will pay a State Visit to India from 6-9 October, 2008.

During his visit, President Abbas will meet President Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, who would host a State banquet in honour of the visiting dignitary. Prime Minister will meet President Abbas and hold talks with him. Vice-President, Shri Hamid Ansari, Chairperson, United Progressive Alliance, Smt. Sonia Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition, Shri L.K. Advani and Minister of State for External Affairs, Shri E. Ahamed will call on President Abbas.

During his visit, President Mahmoud Abbas will lay the foundation stone of the Chancery-cum-Residence complex of the Embassy of Palestine, being built as a gift of the Government and the people of India in Chanakyapuri, New Delhi.

*****