India supports Palestinians, urges UN reform to meet world demands

India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday gave strong support to the Palestinian request for recognition of statehood and full UN membership on an equal footing with other countries in the UN General Assembly, dpa reported. Singh, whose country holds an elected seat in the UN Security Council, called for the reform of UN bodies so they reflect the emergence of countries in the spheres of world politics and the economy. The Palestinian quest for world recognition was at the forefront of his address to the 193-nation assembly in New York, in addition to anxiety over a global economic slowdown. "The Palestinian question still remains unresolved and is a source of great instability and violence," Singh said. He said India was "steadfast in its support of the Palestinian people's stance for a sovereign, independent, viable and united state of Palestine with East Al-Quds as its capital, living within secure and recognized borders, side by side and in peace with Israel." He also said the Palestinian state should be admitted to the UN. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Friday applied for UN membership and recognition as a state. Singh gave support to the UN role in assisting developing countries, saying its agenda on development should be a priority.