Want India's support for independent state, says Palestine ahead of Pranab Mukherjee's visit

New Delhi: Ahead of President Pranab Mukerjee's visit, Palestine on Saturday said it was looking forward to the sincere efforts and all forms of support from India to enable it to build an independent nation and achieve security and stability on the principle of the two-state solution.

Mukherjee, who left today on a six-day visit to three nations including Palestine, will be there on October 12 and will hold talks with the leadership.

"The President of India will pay the first ever State visit to Palestine from October 12-13 at the invitation of President of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas. The people, and the leadership of Palestine welcome this historic visit of the president of India and his companying high level delegation to the holy land as a guest and a close friend of Palestine," Palestine embassy said here in a statement.

Asserting that the visit comes within the excellent ties between the two countries and will strengthen cooperation at all levels, it said, "We are looking forward to the sincere Indian efforts and all forms of support to enable us build our Palestinian independent state and achievement of the just comprehensive peace, security, and stability in the region on the principle of the two state solution."

With both Palestine and Israel not being able to find a peaceful solution, Western countries including the US have been advocating a two-state solution as absolutely vital for not only peace between Israelis and Palestinians but also for the long-term security of Israel as a democratic and Jewish state.