NEW DELHI, Saturday, July 8, 2023 (WAFA) - Ausaf Sayeed, Secretary (Councilor, Passport, Visa & Overseas Indian Affairs CPV&OIA) in the Indian Foreign Service, inaugurated during his visit to Palestine between July 5 and 7, along with Minister of Health Mai Alkaila, the Artificial Limb Fitment Camp at Abu Rayya Rehabilitation Center in Ramallah, organized by the Government of India in association with Bhagvan Mahaveer ViklangSahayata Samiti (BMVSS), Jaipur. The camp is expected to benefit about 600 Palestinians.
During his visit, Sayeed also met with Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh, Foreign Minister Riyad Malki, and Diplomatic Advisor to the President Majdi al-Khalidi.
As part of the Government of India’s developmental assistance, Sayeed had commissioned the National Printing Press of Palestine in Surda, near Ramallah, and visited the India-Palestine Techno Park in Birzeit, as well as project sites of the Center for Empowerment of Women (Turathi) and the Palestine Diplomatic Institute, according to a press release by the Indian Foreign Service.
He also interacted with the Palestinian Alumni of Indian Universities under the scholarship scheme of the Indian Council of Cultural Relations. Scholarships and capacity building of Palestinian youth have been an important component of India’s development assistance to Palestine. More than 12,000 Palestinian students have graduated from Indian universities over the years, and more than 1,300 Palestinian officials have undergone training under our ITEC program, added the press release.
India has been extending various forms of economic assistance to Palestine amounting to approximately $130.5 million, including $70.6 million worth of developmental assistance. India has also provided budgetary support to the tune of $39 million to the Palestinian Authority. Since 2002, India has contributed a total of $29.53 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for the Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
“The visit of Secretary (CPV & OIA) reaffirmed India’s continued developmental support to the people of Palestine,” stressed the press release.
M.K.
