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India Pledges Financial, UN Support for Palestinians

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, right, shakes hands with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas after the leaders signed agreements in New Delhi, India, Sept. 11, 2012.

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VOA News

September 11, 2012

India has pledged $10 million in aid to the Palestinian Authority and its support for full Palestinian membership to the United Nations.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced the moves following a meeting Tuesday in New Delhi with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Singh said support for the Palestinians has been a "cornerstone" of India's foreign policy. He also reiterated India's backing of the Palestinian goal to achieve a sovereign state with East Jerusalem as its capital, living side by side at peace with Israel.

Mr. Abbas said the Palestinians remain committed to a two-state solution with Israel, with the borders that existed before the 1967 Six-Day War.

India has traditionally been one of the Palestinians' strongest diplomatic allies.

A Palestinian bid last year for full U.N. membership failed to win approval in the U.N. Security Council committee that deals with new members.

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