Amid calls from the Palestinian Authority government to play an active role in the Middle East, India has been invited as an observer to the Arab League summit this week in Riyadh, which focuses on reviving a 2002 initiative that recognises Israel within 1967 borders.
With efforts intensifying to generate a new momentum in the stalled Middle East talks, a four-member delegation led by Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed will be participating at the summit.
Observer countries are free to express their opinion and ive advices but do not have voting rights. This is the third time that India will be taking part as an observer in the Arab League summit. It enjoyed the same status in the last two summit meetings in Algeria and Sudan.
PA Information Minister Mustafa Barghouti in a statement in Ramallah has said PA highly values India's decision to recognise and revive aid to the national unity government.
He also praised India's support for the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people and their efforts to reconstruct their nation, re-affirming deep rooted and brotherly Indo-Palestinian ties that go far back into history.
"India's role is highly appreciated by us and it has always stood for the just resolution of the conflict," Palestinian Presidency sources said.
New Delhi had accepted the democratically-elected Hamas government earlier and has welcomed the formation of the unity government. It has also played an important role in advising various Palestinian factions towards moderation and finding a peaceful solution to the internal problems.
Last week, PA Foreign Minister Ziyad Abu Amr had appreciated India's gesture extending assistance to the new unity government and called upon New Delhi to play an active role in the peace process.
"India is an important country at the international stage. It is also an important country for us and can play an important role in the peace process since it maintains good and friendly relations with all parties, not just in the region but the entire world," Abu Amr told PTI.
Emphasising that India can be of immense help, the Palestinian foreign minister said New Delhi should play an active role to help 'end the siege, which is imposed on the Palestinian government, since the new unity government has met with the conditions set by the Quartet and the international community.'
President Mahmoud Abbas is planning a trip to New Delhi but a date has not been finalised yet, he said.
"At the bilateral level, I think we need to enhance and consolidate Palestinian-Indian relationship, which is very dear and historic," Abu Amr added.
Welcoming the formation of the unity government in PA, India in a statement has said that it 'supports the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people and their efforts to reconstruct their nation.'
Offering assistance to the PA, New Delhi has expressed hopes that the national unity government will help alleviate the suffering of the common masses and push towards resumption of peaceful dialogue under the peace process.
