India hopes for resumption of Palestine-Israel talks

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ANKARA (AA) - Extending “strong support” to Palestinian cause, Indian premier has said that he expects resumption of dialogue between Palestine and Israel for a “comprehensive and negotiated resolution”, local media reported.

"On the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people, I reiterate India's strong support for the Palestinian cause,” PTI news agency quoted Prime Minister Narendra Modi as saying in a message to mark the day.

“I express our solidarity with the Palestinian people in their efforts to establish a sovereign, independent, viable and united State of Palestine co-existing peacefully with Israel," Modi added.

Modi was the first Indian premier to visit occupied West Bank city of Ramallah in Feb. 2018. Palestinian leaders had described the visit as "historic".

He had held talks with the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and said India hoped to see an "independent Palestinian state living in an environment of peace".

Recalling his visit, Modi said that the trip contributed "substantially" to further strengthening the historical ties between India and Palestine.

However, in June this year, India had voted in favor of Israeli motion at a UN forum to deny observer status to Shahed, a Palestinian rights organization based in Lebanon.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had hailed the "Indian support" at the UN.