Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on a historic visit to the nation during which the Palestinian President sought India’s support for a multi-country mechanism to achieve a “just and desired peace” with Israel in accordance with the two-state solution. While expressing that “support for Palestinian interests in our foreign policy has always been a priority” Modi said India hopes for Palestine to soon become a sovereign and independent country in a peaceful environment through dialogue.
Abbas accorded a red carpet welcome to Modi, the first Indian PM to make an official visit to Palestine. They discussed the full range of India-Palestine ties following which the two sides signed six agreements worth around $50 million that includes setting up of a $30 million super speciality hospital in Beit Sahur.
Three agreements in the education sector worth USD 5 million, one MoU for procurement of equipment and machinery for the National Printing Press and one for construction of a centre for empowering women were also signed.
President Abbas also conferred the ‘Grand Collar of the State of Palestine’ on Modi, recognising his key contribution to promote ties between India and Palestine.
At a joint press statement with Modi, President Abbas acknowledged that the Indian leadership has always stood by peace in Palestine. “We rely on India’s role as an international voice of great standing and weigh through its historical role in the Non-Aligned Movement and in all international forum and its increasingly growing power on the strategic and economic levels, in a way that is conducive to just and desired peace in our region,” Abbas said.
Modi said, “Friendship between India and Palestine has stood the test of time. The people of Palestine have shown remarkable courage in the face of several challenges. India will always support Palestine’s development journey.”
Modi’s visit to Palestine comes amid heightened tensions in the region after US President Donald Trump recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. During his July 2017 visit to Israel, Modi did not travel to Ramallah. His standalone visit to Israel had led to many analysts questioning the future of the Indo-Palestine ties. This time Modi skipped Israel in a clear message that India is de-hyphenating its ties with Israel and Palestine.
The announcement regarding Modi’s visit to Ramallah took many by surprise given the growing bonhomie around the Indo-Israel ties. However, senior sources in Israel said on condition of anonymity that India had sounded them off about it long time back, much ahead of Netanyahu’s visit to Delhi.
late on Saturday, Modi arrived in Abu Dhabi on a two-day official visit during which he will hold talks with top leadership of the Gulf nation and witness signing of nearly a dozen agreements to bolster political and economic ties. Nearly a dozen agreements and Memoranda of Understanding are expected to be signed between the two countries. Modi is scheduled to address the Indian community tomorrow in Dubai after witnessing the groundbreaking ceremony of a temple in Abu Dhabi.