Modi in Palestine: India is committed to the Palestinian people’s interests

Ramallah, Feb 10 (Only Kashmir): Saying that India is committed to the Palestinian people’s interests, the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi on Saturday during his historic visit to the country said India hopes for return of peace in this region, he said in a joint press conference with President Mahmoud Abbas.
Modi during his meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on signed agreements worth around $50 million that includes setting up of a $30 million super specialty hospital.



After their talks, Prime Minister Modi said he has assured President Abbas that India is committed to the Palestinian people’s interests. He said India hopes for return of peace in this region. “We know that it’s not easy, but we should keep striving because a lot is at stake,” he said in a joint press conference with President Abbas.
Earlier, President Abbas received Prime Minister Modi in an official ceremony at the presidential compound, also known as Muqata’a, in Ramallah—the Palestinian seat of government. Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister to make an official visit to Palestine.
The two leaders exchanged hugs and stood for the national anthem of the two countries and then inspected the guard of honour before their bilateral talks. Archbishop of Catholic Church, Poulos Marcuzzo, and religious leaders of the Al-Aqsa mosque were also at the Muqata’a to greet Modi. Modi flew in a Jordanian army helicopter straight from Amman to Ramallah, where he was received by his Palestinian counterpart Rami Hamdallah.

On his part, President Abbas acknowledged that the Indian leadership has always stood by peace in Palestine. Abbas said Palestine is always ready to engage in negotiations to achieve its goal of an independent state. He asked India to facilitate the peace process with Israel.
The two sides signed agreements worth $50 million. The agreement includes setting up of a super speciality hospital worth $30 million in Beit Sahur and construction of a centre for empowering women worth $5 million. Three agreements in the education sector worth $5 million and for procurement of equipment and machinery for the National Printing Press in Ramallah were also signed.
President Abbas also conferred the ‘Grand Collar of the State of Palestine’ on Prime Minister Modi, recognising his key contribution to promote ties between India and Palestine. The Grand Collar is Highest order given to foreign dignitaries—Kings, Heads of State/Government and persons of similar rank.
Prime Minister Modi’s chopper was escorted by choppers from Israel Air Force. “This is a historic visit that will lead to stronger bilateral cooperation,” Modi said shortly after landing. Soon after his arrival, Prime Minister Modi visited the Mausoleum of Yasser Arafat in Ramallah and laid a wreath at the grave of the iconic Palestinian leader. He was accompanied by his Palestinian counterpart Hamdallah.



Modi’s visit to Palestine comes amid heightened tensions in the region after US President Donald Trump recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. The unilateral US decision to declare Jerusalem as the capital of Israel was challenged at the UN General Assembly where 128 nations, including India, voted to turn down the move as “null and void”. Trump’s decision to declare Jerusalem as Israel’s capital angered the Palestinians, sparked protests in the Middle East and raised concern that it could further destabilise the region.
Though India has shied away from becoming a party in the Israel-Palestinian conflict, the Palestinian leader on several occasions has stressed on a possible role for New Delhi in the Middle East peace process. India believes in a two-state solution in which both Israel and a future Palestinian state coexist peacefully. The two-state solution envisions independent Israeli and Palestinian states coexisting side by side peacefully. The Palestinians see east Jerusalem as their future capital.
Inputs: PTI