India‘s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, M.J. Akbar, left, with Foreign Minister Riyad Malki in Ramallah. WAFA photo by Tamer Bana

RAMALLAH, November 8, 2016 (WAFA) – Minister of Foreign Affairs Riyad Maliki and visiting Indian Minister of State for External Affairs M.J. Akbar chaired on Tuesday the first Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) between India and Palestine.

The two day meeting would cover a range of issues, including cooperation in economy, energy, tourism, agriculture, environment, education, health, information technology, sports, culture and media, the two ministers said in a joint press conference held at the Palestinian Foreign Ministry in Ramallah.

Maliki said the JCM will be the start of long term cooperation between Palestine and India in all areas. He said the commission reflects the desires of the leaders of both countries to enhance mutual friendly relations and cooperation at all levels.

On the other side, Akbar said his country wants to build bridges for future generations in Palestine, on top of which the bridge of knowledge and technology.

He announced India’s opening on Tuesday of the Palestine-India Techno Park outside Birzeit University north of Ramallah as one example of this cooperation.

“Future will be in the hands of those who have command of knowledge,” he said.

The two ministers also discussed mutual relations between Palestine and India and ways to improve them.

President Mahmoud Abbas later laid the foundation stone for the Techno Park in special ceremonies attended by Akbar and Palestinian officials and academics.

M.N./M.A.