India, Palestine sign $ 22 million agreement

India and the Palestinian Authority signed agreements to finance development projects with a total cost of $ 22 million.

A $17-million agreement will boost education services and capabilities, while a $ five-million deal would be designed to support the PA budget, according to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).

A memorandum of understanding was signed between the Palestinian Ministry of Culture and the Indian council for cultural relations.

The agreements were signed on sidelines of the Indian President Pranab Mukherjee's visit to Ramallah, the West Bank, on Monday, during which he met with PA President Mahmoud Abbas.

Abbas expressed gratitude for India for its political and financial support of the Palestinian people, specially the budgetary assistance and development projects.

Mukherjee, during a dinner banquet held by Abbas, said India was exchanging expertise with Palestine for the benefit of the two peoples. He said peace and stability in the region was in India's interest, KUNA reported.