New York - Spa
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.