Friday, May 20 2005 13:37 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Congress president Sonia Gandhi had a meeting with Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in New Delhi today (May 20, 2005).

External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh was also present during the 35-minute interaction with the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson, had with the visiting dignitary.

Abbas arrived in New Delhi on a two-day visit yesterday (May 19, 2005) and this is his first top-level political contact with Indian leadership after he was elected to the key post earlier held by Yasser Arafat.

Abbas had a meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh last night. India is hoping for a "comprehensive peace" in the Middle East. New Delhi has always extended its support to the Palestinian cause and their "inalienable" right to Palestinian State.