India donates $1 million to UNRWA

The Indian government contributed $1 million to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees on a ministerial visit to Palestine, officials said Friday. India's minister of state for external affairs E. Ahmed met UNRWA commissioner-general Filippo Grandi to deliver the donation and discuss future cooperation, India's representative office in Ramallah said. The minister "assured UNRWA of the Government of India's continued support in its operations and in its efforts to alleviate the sufferings of Palestinian refugees," a statement said. Ahmad will meet with President Mahmoud Abbas and Foreign Minister Riyad Malki during his visit. India upped its annual contribution to UNRWA to $1 million in 2009, the statement noted.