Date:14/05/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/05/14/stories/2006051405861000.htm

National

India to give aid to Palestine people

Diplomatic Correspondent

NEW DELHI: India on Saturday announced that it would give Rs. 10 crore to the Palestine people who were facing "hardships and suffering" due to the "evolving situation" in Gaza and the West Bank.

"In response to a request from the Palestinian authorities, and in keeping with India's traditional and consistent policy of extending sympathy and support to the people of Palestine, the Government of India has decided to give humanitarian assistance worth Rs. 100 million [Rs. 10 crore] to the Palestinian people ... " an External Affairs Ministry statement said.

"The assistance will be primarily in the form of medicines and medical supplies, as requested by the Palestinian authorities. Our representative in Ramallah is in touch with the Palestinian authorities to work out the detailed arrangements in this regard," the statement said.