Palestinians lobby India

Hani al-Hassan carried a letter from Yasser Arafat

An envoy for Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat has urged India to intervene in the Middle East crisis.

We are confident in our hopes in view of the historical ties between the Arab world and India

Palestinian Ambassador Khalid el-Sheikh

Hani al-Hassan met Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and said the Palestinians wanted India to play a greater role in the Middle East.

India has historically supported the Palestinian cause but of late has developed close ties with Israel.

This has left Delhi treading a fine line between the two, illustrated by its careful expression of concern at the latest situation without any outright condemnation of Israel.

The Palestinian envoy delivered a personal letter from Mr Arafat to the Indian prime minister.

Balancing act

Emerging from the prime minister's residence in Delhi, Mr Hassan told journalists that the Palestinians wanted India to play an even hand.

Singh telephone Arafat earlier this week

"The meeting (with Mr Vajpayee) was very fruitful and very supportive," he said.

Mr Hassan also met a senior Indian diplomat, RM Abhyankar, and asked for Delhi's help in diffusing the current crisis.

He is due to meet India's National Security Advisor, Brajesh Mishra, later in the day.

Indian leaders have enjoyed warm relations with the Palestinian leader and Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh called Mr Arafat in his blockaded headquarters in Ramallah earlier in the week.

Mr Singh expressed "grave concern" at the deteriorating situation and urged Israel to lift the military siege around Mr Arafat's headquarters.

But the foreign minister also called for an end to "acts of terrorism".

'Historical ties'

Reports in the Indian press quoted Arab envoys in Delhi as saying they wanted India to take a stronger position against Israel.

"We are hoping that India will react immediately in a manner that helps stop and halt this aggression," Palestinian Ambassador Khalid el-Sheikh told The Times of India.

"We are confident in our hopes in view of the historical ties between the Arab world and India," he added.

The Times added, however, that India's statements in support of Mr Arafat has displeased Israel which it has communicated through diplomatic channels.