Message from the Prime Minister of India to Chairman Yassir Arafat in 1988 on the recognition of the Palestine State by India

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Dear Chairman Arafat,

It is with great pleasure that I extend to you on behalf of the Government and people of India and on my own behalf our heartiest felicitations on the declaration of an independent State of Palestine to which the Government of India has today extended formal recognition. This 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 struggle. It is nevertheless an important milestone on the path to meeting the legitimate aspirations of Palestinians within and outside the occupied territories. We wish you all success in your task of achieving the logical culmination of this declaration – the restoration of Palestinian land and the assertion of Palestinian sovereignty. India will continue to extend whole-hearted support to efforts to activate early peace negotiations for a just and comprehensive settlement within the framework of a UN sponsored International Conference.

RAJIV GANDHI

H.E. Chairman Yassir Arafat

President of the Executive Committee

of the Palestine Liberation Organization

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