India's ties with Israel will not affect our relations: Abbas

Special Correspondent


India announces Rs. 65 crores for developmental projects in Palestine

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"India is for a peaceful resolution of the conflict with Israel"
A plot of land gifted for the Palestinian Embassy
India wants an end to the violence in the occupied territories


NEW DELHI: The president of Palestinian National Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, on Friday appreciated India's continuing support to developmental projects and said its ties with Israel would not affect the "very close and very strong" India-Palestine relationship.

Speaking to newspersons at the end of his two-day visit to India, Mr. Abbas said India's move to develop closer security and economic ties with Israel was "a matter of sovereignty. They can contact Israel in their interests."

Position remains same


However, India's position on the Palestine dispute continued to remain the same from the beginning. "India is for a peaceful resolution of the conflict with Israel," he said.

He was asked about his talks with President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the United Progressive Alliance chairperson, Sonia Gandhi.

The Ministry for External Affairs (MEA), in a separate briefing, said that India continued to support the Palestinian cause and "would do whatever could be done to help the Palestinian people and the state."

To this end, India announced Rs. 65 crores for development projects, mainly for infrastructure development and the social sector.

India had also gifted a plot of land for the Palestinian Embassy, said the MEA Secretary (East), Rajiv Sikri. India wanted an end to the violence in the occupied territories, as it was counter-productive to peace in the region.

On the recent outbreak of violence in the Gaza strip, Mr. Abbas hoped that all parties would adhere to the truce accord. "I hope that we can contain and control all incidents of violence. Truce is in the interest of all parties."

Polls on schedule


Mr. Abbas maintained that the polls to the Palestine National Assembly would be held as scheduled on July 17. "There is no intention to postpone the polls."

Asked about his coming visit to the U.S. next month, he said he would discuss the issue of complete Israeli pullout from the Gaza strip and other areas.

On Israel's decision to release 400 Palestinian prisoners, he said that though this had been announced, it was not known when they would be freed.

At the same time, "we can't forget that 11,000 prisoners are still in jail," Mr. Abbas said.