Indian President calls for 'negotiated solution' during Palestine visit

Indian President Pranab Mukherjee called for a "negotiated solution" to the Israel-Palestine conflict prior to a visit to the West Bank on Monday.

"India supports a negotiated solution resulting in a sovereign, independent, viable and united state of Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital, living within secure and recognised borders," the president said during a ceremony at the University of Jordan, which awarded him an honorary doctorate.

"Our bilateral relations with Israel are independent of our relations with Palestine," he said.

"India has played a proactive role in garnering support for this cause in all multilateral fora. We have called upon both sides to exercise restraint and work towards a comprehensive resolution of the Palestinian issue."

Though India has historically been supportive of the Palestinian cause, the new government of right-wing Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been keen to strengthen relations with Israel, particularly due to shared concerns over militant groups.

Mukherjee is also set to visit Al-Quds university, where he will be awarded an honorary doctorate.

On Wednesday he will travel to Israel.