Talking to media after ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan this morning, Mr Abbas said that India is a long time friend of Palestine and has done whatever was asked for by Palestine.
President Mahmoud Abbas arrived in India last night on an official visit, during which the two sides are expected to sign MoUs for cooperation in information and communication technology, vocational training and constructing schools in Palestine. This is his second state visit and his fourth to India.
Besides talks with Prime minister Dr. Manmohan Singh at Hyderabad House this afternoon, Mr. Abbas will also meet President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari and External Affairs Minister S M Krishna.
India is expected to reiterate its support for the Palestinian cause and solidarity with the Palestinian people. Ahead of the visit, the External Affairs Ministry had said that India has called for an end to illegal Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories and had welcomed direct talks between Israelis and Palestinians. It said, the visit will also provide an opportunity for reviewing the entire gamut of bilateral relations, the Middle East peace process, regional and international issues of common concern and in particular the political turmoil in West Asia.
India has backed the Arab Peace Plan, which calls for withdrawal of Israel to pre-1967 borders, along with recognition of Israel and the establishment of the State of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital. India had supported the Palestinian application for membership of the United Nations in 2011 and also supported Palestine in gaining membership in UNESCO in October 2011.Apart from strong political support to the Palestinian cause at international, regional and bilateral levels, India has also been contributing, since long time, material and technical assistance to the Palestinian people.