India has urged Palestinians to unite to realise their goal of an independent state amidst the growing wedge between rival Hamas and Fatah factions.
"We have expressed hopes that all the Palestinians will unite behind the leadership of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to realise their aspirations of an independent viable state with clearly demarcated boundaries," Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed said.
On a trip to the region to exchange Ramadan greetings with the Arab world, the Indian minister has expressed "concerns at escalating violence in the region."
"We hope that peace will prevail in the region for the interest of both sides, Palestinians and Israelis," Ahamed told PTI.
"We wish that the internal differences among the Palestinians do not prevent them from achieving their goals," he added.
Serious differences prevailing between the two dominant Palestinian factions, Hamas and Fatah, which control Gaza and the West Bank respectively, have left little hope for reconciliation.
Abbas, whose Fatah party was ousted by Hamas from Gaza in June after a bloodbath and is being backed by Israel and the West, has said he will not agree to any dialogue with the Islamic faction until it restores the situation in the Strip the way it existed before the takeover.
Four Palestinian ministers called upon the visiting Indian minister and appreciated India's steadfast support for the Palestinian cause and generous aid for the Palestinian masses.
"We highly appreciate India's help. We received valuable life saving medicines from them last year when we needed them. India has also started several innovative projects in Palestinian territories under an aid package announced by New Delhi," Palestinian Deputy Foreign Minister Ahmed Soboh said.
India is to construct a senior secondary school, build an IT park, set up a chair at Al-quds university, a cardiac surgery centre and other projects as part of a $15 million aid package announced for the Palestinian Authority.
"We have reiterated our unwavering support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinians to have an independent viable state living in peace with its neighbours, including Israel," Ahamed said.
The Indian minister was also briefed by Abbas' chief of staff Rafique Husseini and the president's senior adviser Hamad Nimr on the developments in the region and recent initiatives towards kickstarting the peace process.
The chief mufti of Jerusalem Sheikh Mohammed Hussein specially invited the Indian minister to join him for Friday prayers at the al-Aqsa mosque.
Before coming to Ramallah, Ahamed also visited Doha and Amman, where he met King Abdullah II, and will be visiting other Arab countries to extend Ramadan greetings from government of India.
