Press Release No. 49

12 October 2008

Joint Statement on the State Visit of the President of the Palestinian National Authority,

H. E. Mr. Mahmoud Abbas, to India, October 6-9, 2008

His Excellency Mr. Mahmoud Abbas, the President of the Palestinian National Authority, paid a State Visit to India from 6-9 October, 2008. He was accompanied by the Foreign Minister, H.E. Dr. Riyad Al-Malki, Advisor to the President and Official Spokesman, H.E. Mr. Nabil Abu Rdeineh, Advisor to the President, H.E. Mr. Ziad Abu ‘Amr and other officials.

2. His Excellency Mr. Mahmoud Abbas called on the President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, who hosted a banquet in his honour. The Vice President, Shri M. Hamid Ansari called on President Abbas. His Excellency President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister, Dr. Mammohan Singh, held delegation level discussions. The Chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance, Smt. Sonia Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition, Shri L.K. Advani and the Minister of State for External Affairs, Shri E. Ahamed, called on His Excellency, President Mahmoud Abbas.

3.Bilateral discussions reflected the traditionally close and cordial ties between India and Palestine and the solidarity that the Government and people of India have always shown for Palestine. Recalling its participation in the conference on Middle East Peace convened in November, 2007 at Annapolis MD, India expressed the hope that discussions between the Palestinian National Authority and Israel aimed at resolving all outstanding issues would be taken forward in an expeditious and purposive manner.
 

4. India reiterated its well-known support for the Palestinian cause in line with its backing of the United Nations Security Council Resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973) calling for a negotiated solution resulting in a sovereign, independent, viable and united State of Palestine living within secure and recognized borders, side by side at peace with Israel as endorsed in the Quartet Roadmap and United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1397 and 1515. India also reiterated its support for the Arab Peace Plan. India also called for an end to the expansion of Israeli settlements in occupied Palestine and for an early and significant easing of restrictions on the free movement of persons and goods within Palestine. The Palestinian side deeply appreciated India’s traditional and steadfast commitment to the Palestinian cause.

5. In the course of discussions, India renewed its commitment to the economic development of Palestine, including through provision of assistance to the capacity building efforts of the Palestine National Authority. In this regard, India and Palestine decided to accelerate the implementation of projects already identified on the basis of a process of re-prioritisation based on mutual consultations. They also agreed to consider the formation of a Joint Committee to discuss bilateral economic cooperation activities. A Memorandum of Understanding regarding construction and equipping of the Jawaharlal Nehru High School at Abu Dees was signed during the visit. It was also announced that India has increased the number of training slots available for Palestinian nationals under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme to sixty each year.
 

6. India and Palestine will also work together to develop an information technology park in Palestine. The two countries will also explore ways of cooperating in the water resources sector.

7. In the presence of the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, the President of the Palestine National Authority, His Excellency President Mahmoud Abbas laid the foundation stone of the Chancery-cum-Residences complex of the Embassy of Palestine being built in New Delhi as a gift of the Government and people of India.

8. The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh affirmed that keeping with India’s long-term and principled support for the Palestinian people, the Government of India remains fully committed to implementing all mutually agreed projects in Palestine. In this regard, reaffirming the Government of India’s commitment made in 2005 for $ 15 million in project assistance that includes the construction of several identified projects for the benefit of Palestine and also India’s pledge of $ 5 million dollars in assistance made in 2007, the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh announced a grant of $10 million as budgetary support to the Palestine National Authority as well as an additional $10 million in project assistance for Palestinian development programmes. India also offered to assist Palestine in its efforts at achieving economic self-reliance. His Excellency President Mahmoud Abbas thanked the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh for this important and timely assistance.

9. Both leaders expressed satisfaction over the outcome of the State Visit, which they felt had marked another important landmark in the long history of close and fraternal interactions between India and Palestine.

10. The President of the Palestinian National Authority, His Excellency Mr. Mahmoud Abbas invited the President and the Prime Minister to visit Palestine. The invitations were accepted with pleasure and dates would be settled through diplomatic channels in due course.

11. At the conclusion of his State Visit, His Excellency Mr. Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian National Authority, expressed deep gratitude to the President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil and to the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, for the warmth of the reception accorded to him and to his delegation during the course of their stay.
 

New Delhi, October 9, 2008

Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi