Statement by the External Affairs Minister of India in the Indian Parliament on 16^th November, 1988 regarding recognition of the newly declared State of Palestine

The House will be happy to know that Government have decided to accord full recognition to the newly declared State of Palestine. The denial to the Palestinians of their just rights and the illegal occupation of their homeland have been strongly condemned by successive Parliaments. All shades of public and political opinion in India have been united in expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people and their legitimate aspirations.

The establishment of an independent Palestinian State has been our cherished and single-minded objective all these years. We share the happiness of the Palestinian people on this auspicious day. We are conscious that it is not the end of the process. It is nevertheless an important milestone on the path to meeting the legitimate aspirations of Palestinians within and outside the occupied territories. We wish the Palestinians all success in the task of achieving the logical culmination of this declaration – the restoration of Palestinian land and the assertion of Palestinian sovereignty.