Sonia meets Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas

This is Abbas's first top-level political contact with Indian leadership after he was elected to the key post earlier held by Yasser Arafat.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi had a meeting with Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in New Delhi on Friday.

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External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh was also present during the 35-minute meeting Sonia Gandhi, who is also the UPA Chairperson, had with the visiting dignitary.

Abbas arrived in New Delhi on a two-day visit on Thursday and this is his first top-level political contact with Indian leadership after he was elected to the key post earlier held by Yasser Arafat.

Abbas had a meeting with Prime Minister Manmonan Singh on Thursday night. India is hoping for a "comprehensive peace" in the Middle East. New Delhi has always extended its support to the Palestinian cause and their "inalienable" right to Palestinian state.