Palestine PM meets Modi, wants India to mediate in Middle East

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 3

Palestine has sought India’s role in resolving the tangle in Middle East due to its “growing weight” in international politics. “We look forward to a well-established and distinguished Indian role in Middle East, foremost of which is supporting the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and establishment of an independent State of Palestine, with Jerusalem as its capital,” said a statement by Palestinian PM Mohammad Shtayyeh after meeting PM Narendra Modi in Glasgow on Tuesday evening.

Shtayyeh was meeting Modi shortly after the latter met Israel PM Naftali Bennett and invited him to visit India in the first quarter of next year to celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations.

“India’s role in international organisations, primarily the UNSC and the Council of Human Rights requires strenuous efforts in cooperation with all related parties to achieve security and stability in the Middle East and West Asia, which is of great importance to India,” said the Palestinian leader.

Shtayyeh was meeting PM Modi for the first time since they had interacted in Palestine in February 2018. PM Modi also met Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Ties important

Palestine attaches great importance to its relations with India, who has a growing weight in international politics. — Mohammad Shtayyeh, Palestine Prime Minister