India has started issuing visas from Ramallah in Palestine instead of Tel Aviv, a step Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) officials say will cut down on the waiting period as well as costs.
India is perhaps the first country from South Asia to begin issuing visas in Ramallah from September, said Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed while speaking on the International Day of Solidarity with Palestinian People here on Friday.
Mr. Ahamed interpreted this move as India’s continuing support to the Palestinian cause. “Indians have always placed Palestine close to their hearts. With this, Palestinian nationals will get visas within two-three working days,” he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
Strategic analyst Qamar Agha described it as another step forward in India’s support for the Palestinian cause, especially its right to statehood. India had been in the forefront of the Palestinian cause and was among the first lot of countries outside the Arab world to recognise the Palestine Liberation Organisation as the legitimate representative of the Arab people in 1974 followed by full diplomatic relations.
Indian visas, Ramallah office, India-Palestine ties, International Day of Solidarity with Palestinian People