M A I N   N E W S

India to help Palestine in IT

GAZA CITY, July 1 (PTI) — India today pledged to open up its fast emerging information technology and knowledge-based industry to the people of Palestine to help them achieve economic and political aspirations.

“What is the best way that India can do to the friendly people of Palestine is to help in the field of education. There is no alternative. This is the best investment for future that can be made and there is no greater cooperation than cooperation in the field of learning,” External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh said inaugurating Mahatma Gandhi Library and Jawaharlal Nehru Library here today.

Stating that New Delhi was ready to offer its cooperation in the knowledge-based industry, Mr Jaswant Singh said the primary aim of his visit was to attempt to open the doors of opportunities which have long been denied to the people of Palestine.

New Delhi would be willing to send teams from Finance and External Affairs ministries to credit requirements of Palestine, Mr Jaswant Singh said offering India’s cooperation in infrastructure development like power, telecommunication, drinking water, small scale industries and housing.

He said India had emerged a world leader in the field of knowledge-based industry, information technology, biotechnology and genetics and these achievements could be made available to the people of Palestine.

The total annual trade between India and Palestine is estimated at $ 18 to $ 20 million and this trade volume is expected to go up with several high-level ministerial delegations visiting Palestine.

Public sector Telecommunication Consultancy of India Limited and a leading software company Satyam are already engaged in executing $ 1.5 million projects for Palestine Telecommunication Limited in the field of communication software.

Mr Jaswant Singh’s visit to Israel and Palestine follows closely on the heels of Home Minister L.K. Advani who was here last month aimed at further consolidating the bilateral cooperation.

Speaking on the West Asia peace process, he said New Delhi’s position toward the Palestine was clear and explicit and India would not alter its stated position supportive of the rights of the Palestine people for them to have a settled and internationally recognised territory.

New Delhi stood for the timely implementation of the UN Security Council resolutions 242 and 338, he said and regretted that there was slippage in time schedule which caused concern to both India and Palestine.

Asked whether the peace talks figured during his meeting with US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright at the recently-concluded conference on Democracies at Warsaw, Mr Jaswant Singh said that Ms Albright exchanged views with him on the issue. She also mentioned some of the complexities involved in the peace process, he said.