28 August 2004	Saturday	11 Rajab 1425

NEW DELHI, Aug 27: India and Kuwait agreed on Thursday to work for the peaceful coexistence of Israel and Palestine as sovereign states and signed pacts to boost their security cooperation.

A joint statement at the end of a three-day visit by Kuwait's Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed Sabah al Salem al Sabah highlighted the importance of peace and stability in the Gulf region.

Sharing concerns over threats of terrorism and extremist violence to democratic societies, the two countries also called for effective international cooperation to combat the menace and deny sanctuaries to terrorist outfits.

Both sides welcomed an increased role for the United Nations in Iraq, while noting with satisfaction that the process of political transition in the war-ravaged country, including restoration of its sovereignty, was underway.