PNA chief's special envoy in New Delhi

Former Foreign Minister of Palestine Dr. Nabeel Shaath is on an official three-day visit to New Delhi as a Special Envoy of the Palestine National Authority (PNA) President Mahmoud Abbas, said an official statement issued by India's External Affairs Ministry. He handed over messages from PNA president addressed to Indian President Pratibha Devising Patil and Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, expressing deep appreciation for India's continued support to the Palestinians, the statement said. India was the first non-Arab state to recognize the state of Palestine in 1988, pursuant to Algiers declaration for a Palestinian State in 1988. Dr. Nabeel Shaath called on External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna and also met Junion External Affairs Minister E. Ahamed, and sought India's support for the Palestinian cause especially during the forthcoming UN session. Krishna reiterated India's strong and unwavering support to the Palestinian cause and assured that India shall continue to adhere to its principled stand on Palestine. The Palestinian envoy was very appreciative of India's traditional and long standing support of the Palestinian cause.