Prime Minister's Media Statement during the State Visit of President of Palestine to India, September 11, 2012

Your Excellency, President Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian National Authority,

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Media,

It is an honour for me to welcome President Mahmoud Abbas on his State Visit to India. He is no stranger to India and, indeed, we regard him as a very special friend.

President Abbas and I have held useful discussions aimed at further expanding and strengthening the India-Palestine partnership, which is rooted in history and flows from our national ethos.

Support for the Palestinian cause has been a cornerstone of India's foreign policy. During our meeting, I reiterated India's firm support for the struggle of the Palestinian people to achieve a sovereign, independent, viable and united state of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital, living within secure and recognized borders, side by side and at peace with Israel.

India had played an active role in supporting the efforts of the State of Palestine to secure full membership status at UNESCO. We will continue to support Palestine's bid for full and equal membership of the United Nations.

We also look forward to early resumption of peace talks between the Palestinians and Israelis leading to a comprehensive resolution between the two sides..