The two sides also signed agreements worth around USD 50 million that includes setting up of a USD 30 million super speciality hospital after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas received Prime Minister Modi in an official ceremony at the presidential compound, also known as Muqata'a, in Ramallah - the Palestinian seat of government. In recognition of his contribution to ties with Palestine, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was earlier conferred The Grand Collar of the State of Palestine, the highest Palestinian honour for foreign dignitaries, by Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas here on Saturday. Also read | Today, PM Modi meets Oman’s Sultan who once studied in India

With Abbas listening in by his side at the Al Muqataa — the Palestinian presidential headquarters — Modi said: “I have once again reassured President Abbas that India is committed to upholding the interests of the Palestinian people. We know this is not easy, but we must continue trying, for there is too much at stake,” said Modi, who was conferred the Grand Collar of the State of Palestine — the highest honour given to foreign leaders. ALSO READ: PM Modi conferred ‘Grand Collar of the State of Palestine’

Highlighting India’s resolve to keep Palestine as a foreign partner, PM Modi said: “India and Palestine’s relations have stood the test of time” and that “Palestine has always taken a top spot in our foreign policy”. NEW DELHI: Barely a month after hugging his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to repeat the gesture with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the Palestinian city of Ramallah on Saturday. I am happy that we are moving forward with our developmental corporation forward during this visit,” he said, adding, that India will “double the exchange of students from this year taking it from 50 to 100.”

Prior to PM Modi’s address, President Abbas had said: “It is my honour to welcome you as a great guest, on your first historic visit to Palestine which holds, to you personally and to the people of India, sentiments of love and appreciation. Indian leadership has always stood by peace in Palestine.”

Indicating that Palestine would welcome a non-aligned position by India with respect to Israel and Palestine, Abbas said, “We have said and will say we are ready to engage in negotiations. We rely on India’s role as an international force and its role in the non-alignment movement and in the international fora, in a way that is conducive to desired peace in our region.”

“Here I would like to assert our commitment to political action and negotiations as means of achieving our national goals to freedom & independence in accordance with the two states’ relation along the lines of 1967,” he added.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Palestine, saying that he backs an independent Palestine state. This event has been labeled as "historic" as it is the first time an Indian Prime Minister has visited Palestine.