PM, Sonia meet Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas

United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Friday met Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in New Delhi.

External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh was also present during the 35-minute interaction Sonia had with the visiting dignitary.

Abbas met Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on Thursday night. Dr Singh told him that India is hoping for  'comprehensive peace' in the Middle East.

• Palestine: End of an era    

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

New Delhi has always extended its support to the Palestinian cause and its right to the Palestinian state.