Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to travel to the Palestinian capital of Ramallah on February 10, a diplomatic source has confirmed. The visit to the Palestinian territory is likely to be part of Prime Minister Modi’s outreach to the Arab world in the second week of February, during which he will hold a meeting with the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
“The visit is confirmed though the last minute logistical details are yet to be put in place. Prime Minister Modi will be in Ramallah for a day during his visit to the Arab world,” the diplomatic source said, describing the visit as the “most important” in the Arab country’s calendar. This will be the first time that an Indian Prime Minister will visit the Palestinian capital of Ramallah.
The visit was confirmed even as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is on the last leg of his trip to India.
The official said that the trip indicates that India remains on track with its traditional stance on Palestine. Palestine had praised India’s recent vote in the UN against the U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
“We are proud of India and India’s friendship with Palestine. By voting for a negotiated settlement of the issue of Jerusalem, India has conveyed to the world that it stands for peace in West Asia. We wish to thank the Indian government, Indian people and their attitude at the UN which will ensure peace in our region and in the world,” ambassador of Palestine Adnan Abu Alhaija had told The Hindu after New Delhi voted in support of a negotiated settlement of the issue of Jerusalem.
The issue of Indian support to the two-state solution was also discussed during the meeting between Prime Minister Modi and Mr. Netanyahu. A joint statement issued at the end of the official dialogue between the two sides expressed support for an early “resumption” of the peace talks between the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority.
The Prime Minister is also expected to visit UAE and Oman apart from Palestine during the trip in the second week of February. In UAE, he is expected to attend an international conference.
