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India pledges support to Palestinian cause
India pledged its steadfast support to the Palestinian cause and clarified that ties with Israel remain bilateral.
Pledging its steadfast support to the Palestinian cause and their "inalienable right" to a homeland of their own, India today said its relations with Israel were bilateral in nature and not directed against any third country.
During a meeting with Jordanian Prince Faisal in Amman, Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed said that the new Indian government would give a fresh impetus to its ties with Arab countries and would continue supporting the Palestinians' cause.
Ahamed handed over to Prince Faisal an invitation from President A P J Abdul Kalam to King Abdullah II to visit India at an early date.
The discussions also covered regional issues, particularly developments in Iraq, the Palestinian cause, the Arab world and Islamic countries.
Ahamed met Mohammad Halaiqa, Deputy Prime Minister and Industry and Trade Minister, in his capacity as the Acting Prime Minister of Jordan.
In his talks with Halaiqa, Ahamed emphatically said India's relations with Israel were bilateral in nature.
Arab countries should not have any concern whatsoever with India's relations with Israel, particularly against the background of New Delhi's historical support for Palestinian and Arab causes.
Relations between India and Pakistan, developments in the Middle East, bilateral economic trade relations as also ties with Islamic world came up during the parleys. More
The Jordanian leader was briefed on the recent general elections in India and their outcome.
Halaiqa said India was the model of democracy for the developing world.
Ahamed, who also met Jordanian Labour Minister Amjad Majali, said Indian foreign policy was based on continuity and highlighted the new thrust being given to the strengthening of New Delhi's relations with Arab countries.
The discussions reflected the commonality of view of the two countries on important regional issues.
The two leaders discussed steps to strengthen Indo-Jordanian ties. Indian suggestion to commence regular foreign office consultations was "positively received" by the Jordanian side, Indian Embassy officials said.
