Palestine envoy, Keralam CM discuss expanding state-level ties
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New Delhi: Palestinian Ambassador to India Abdullah M Abu Shawesh met Keralam Chief Minister V D Satheesan in New Delhi on Friday for talks on developing new programmes and strengthening cooperation between Palestine and the southern Indian state.
The meeting focused on broader India-Palestine relations and the scope for closer engagement between Palestine and Keralam, the ambassador said after the discussions.
Describing it as his first meeting with Satheesan, Abu Shawesh called the interaction “a pleasure and an honour”.
“There are a lot of issues to talk about later on, and there are a lot of programmes that we can push,” he said, adding that the discussions covered ties between Palestine and India as well as the relationship between Palestine and Keralam.
The ambassador noted Keralam’s longstanding support for the Palestinian cause and said he expected the state to maintain its backing.
The proposed reconstruction of Gaza and assistance to Palestinians did not figure in Friday’s meeting, Abu Shawesh said in response to a question.
He said such matters would primarily be discussed with the Union government.
“We did not discuss this issue. We will discuss it, as we used to, with the Government of India at large,” he said.
The ambassador added that any specific proposal involving the Keralam government would be discussed in the state.
“If there is something to be discussed with the Government of Keralam, the Chief Minister of the state, this will be in Keralam itself, and I am going to announce it in due time,” he said.