RAMALLAH : Observing that peace and stability in the Middle East region is in India’s interest, President Pranab Mukherjee today proposed a three-pillar framework to propel its “historic” ties with Palestine besides building a second Information Technology (IT) centre in Gaza.
Mukherjee, who is in Palestine in the first-ever State visit by an Indian President, also announced an increase in Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation(ITEC) scholarship programme slots for Palestine to 100 per annum and setting up of an India-Chair at the Al-Quds University.
The President made the proposal and the announcements in his acceptance speech after he was conferred a honorary doctorate by Al-Quds University in Abu Dees in East Jerusalem on the second and final day of his visit to this country.
At the function, Mukherjee was described as a “valiant knight of peace”.
On Sunday, the President was conferred with an honorary degree in political science by the University of Jordan in Amman. On Thursday, he will be conferred a honorary doctorate by the Hebrew University in Israel.
In his speech, Mukherjee told the audience at the Al-Quds University, which included Prime Minister Dr Rami Hamdallah, “India shares the perception that the Palestinian issue is at the centre of Arab-Israeli conflict. Peace and stability in the region is in India’s interest.”
Noting that the speed with which an event happening in one place of the world triggers a response in another is unprecedented in terms of its impact and scale, the President said maintaining regular contacts at all levels is, therefore, important.
Stating that India has always been at the forefront in
promoting the Palestinian cause, the President said the strong foundations in this regard and shared belief in peace, prosperity and development for the people of Palestine “propel us to do more.”
He referred to India’s backing to several UN resolutions on Palestine to show its solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Mukherjee, who is in Palestine on the second leg of his three-nation visit that will also take him to Israel, said one of the aims of his visit to Palestine is to suggest a framework for the future of India’s relationship with it.
Noting that India continues to follow its traditional policy on Palestine, the President said the framework of their partnership can be reinforced through three principal pillars.
“First, closer political interaction; Second, deeper economic engagement and academic collaboration; Third, wider cultural contacts and people-to-people exchanges.”
Mukherjee delivered the speech after the inauguration of India-Palestine Centre for Excellence in Information and Communications Technology(ICT) in Al-Quds University.
“India will build a similar Center in Gaza. We look forward to the success of the Techno-Park in Ramallah. It will be jointly built and operated by the Palestine Investment Fund and the Indian public and private sector,” he added.
Mukherjee said this will have a satellite centre in Ramallah and forward linkages with industry.
The President gifted to the IT Centre of Al-Quds University 30 computers from India without the sophisticated communication equipment, which was held by the Israeli customs on grounds of security. India plans to replace the communication equipment not permitted by Israel with frequencies acceptable to Israel.
He also inaugurated a high school for boys named after first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
The President said the conferment of the doctorate on
him was a sign of friendship and regard of the people of Palestine for India and for him.
He told the assembled audience that the university’s pursuit of scientific knowledge and advanced research placed it at the centre of Palestine’s national development programme.
The President congratulated the people of Palestine on the momentous unfurling of their national flag at the United Nations – for the first time in history – on September 30, 2015.
Apart from our bilateral trade in goods, the President said there is vast scope for trade in services.
“India’s strength in IT and IT-enabled services as well as consultancy can pave the way for greater engagement in the IT sector,” he added.
The President also said that Government of India’s ‘Make in India’ scheme welcomes Palestinians to manufacture in India. (PTI)
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