Narendra Modi on February 10 became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Palestine. He travelled to Ramallah in West Bank, headquarters of the Palestinian Authority, via Jordan. Indian diplomats say the visit to Ramallah through Jordan without crossing any of the Israeli checkpoints is consistent with India’s “de-hyphenation policy”.
Here are the latest updates:
Dubai’s iconic skyscraper Burj Khalifa is lit up in the colours of the Indian flag to mark Mr. Modi’s second visit to the country.
The Indian tricolour will be displayed every hour for UAE residents to admire and enjoy, according to the Dubai-based real estate development company Emaar. “The Indian flag will be showcased on Burj Khalifa tonight every hour from 7.15 p.m. to 11.15 p.m. (local time),” an Emaar representative was quoted as saying by the Khaleej Times .
The light show will coincide with Mr. Modi’s second state visit to the UAE. Mr. Modi last visited the country in August 2015.
Last evening, landmarks in Abu Dhabi and Dubai also lit up to the colours of the Indian flag. Abu Dhabi’s Adnoc headquarters and Marina Mall and the Dubai Frame lit up in the Tricolour. - PTI
Prime Minister has arrived in Abu Dhabi.
“Reached UAE. This visit includes a wide range of programmes which will have a positive impact on India-UAE ties. I thank HH Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for the special gesture of receiving me,” Mr. Modi tweets.
“We warmly welcome our state guest and valued friend, the Indian Prime Minister H.E.@narendramodi to the UAE. His visit reflects our longstanding historical ties and is testament to our friendly bilateral relationship,” Mohammed Bin Zayed tweets separately.
Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan receives Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his arrival in Abu Dhabi on February 10, 2018. Photo: @MEAIndia
Soon after his arrival, Prime Minister Mr. Modi leaves for the presidential palace for a meeting with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
Mr. Modi, who is here on his second visit to the UAE since 2015, has several meetings lined up in the evening and will also attend a banquet in the UAE capital. Various buildings in Abu Dhabi are lit in tricolour as the city was decked up to welcome Prime Minister Modi.
Nearly a dozen agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) are expected to be signed between the two countries.
Mr. Modi is scheduled to address the Indian community on February 11 in Dubai after witnessing the ground-breaking ceremony of a temple in Abu Dhabi.
Mr. Modi begins his speech expressing gratitude for being honoured with the Grand Collar of the State of Palestine.
He says: "Our support for the Palestinian support has been a continuous thread in India's foreign policy. Unbroken and Unwavering. That's why I am in Ramallah."
He pays respect to Palestinian political leader Yasser Arafat. Says, "Arafat was a great leader and a very close friend of the Indian people. You have shown steely resolve to overcome and advance despite instability and insecurity that threatens hard fought gains. That you have done so in the face of difficulties and challenges is duly admirable.
Mr. Modi points out that India is a long-time partner in Palestine nation-building initiatives. He lists out investment projects. "India have taken up a technology park project in Ramallah. Once completed it will provide jobs. We will be investing in projects to create health and infrastructure in Palestine as well as help women empowerment," he says.
"Bilaterally, we agreed to deepen engagement through ministerial level joint commission meetings. I am happy to announce that we will be scaling up youth exchanges from 50 to 100 from this year onwards," he notes.
The Prime Minister observes that he hopes for the State of Palestine to be living in an environment of peace. Concludes his speech, saying, "We must continue the path of talks to find a solution."
4:20 p.m.
President Mahmoud Abbas begins his speech, pointing how India has been one of the first countries that recognised Palestine.
He says:
"We affirm the solid relationship between our counties. I highly appreciate the noble and dignified positions India has taken towards Palestinians.
"It's been a great opportunity to apprise Modi of the situation in the region. I would like to reaffirm our commitment to political actions to meet our national aspirations based on the 1967 birdees and East Jerusalem as our capital."
President Abbas points out that India's decision to fund several projects in Palestine will help the nation and further deepen the relationship. He concludes, saying: "Long live Palestinian Indian friendship."
In a special recognition of the Prime Minister's contribution to relations between India and Palestine, President Abbas confers the Grand Collar of the State of Palestine on him after the conclusion of their bilateral meeting.
Nasser Hussain Ansari, who runs the Indian Hospice in Jerusalem, is among the Indians who has come to the presidential compound to greet the Prime Minister. Mr. Ansari, whose grandparents migrated from Northern India to Jerusalem, says this is "a great moment".
Palestinian Ambassador Adnan Abu Alhaija tells The Hindu that the Palestinians are very happy whenever an Indian leader comes. "And this time it's very special. It's historic. This is the first time an Indian Prime Minister is visiting Palestine,'' he says.
Giacinto-Boulos Marcuzzo, a Roman Catholic Auxiliary Bishop of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and resident of Nazareth, says he was looking forward to meeting Mr. Modi.
"I got an invitation from the President to meet the Indian Prime Minister. That's why I am here. I will pay my honour to him and I will ask him to contribute to peace in this region," Mr. Marcuzzo said.
2:20 p.m.
Mr. Modi is welcomed by President Abbas at the presidential palace after a wreath-laying ceremony.
Religious leaders from Jerusalem, including the Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Church, as well as representatives of the Indian community settled in East Jerusalem, welcome the Prime Minister.
After a guard of honour, both leaders begin bilateral talks where several agreements are to be signed.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi lands in Ramallah.
From Amman, the Prime Minister and accompanying officials fly in three helicopters to the Palestinian presidential compound.
Indian aid for Palestine diplomatic training institute
Mr. Modi is expected to lay the foundation stone of a new diplomatic training institute, a source familiar with the planning of the visit said.
“The Government of India has already sanctioned US$4.5 million for the Indo-Palestine Diplomatic Institute, which will be a unique institute in the region and it is one of the several events that are likely to feature in the Prime Minister’s visit to Ramallah,” said the source, requesting anonymity.
India can play a role in Middle East peace process: Abbas
Ahead of Mr. Modi’s historic visit, President Abbas says he will discuss with him India’s role in the Middle East peace process and the creation of a multilateral forum of negotiations to strike a final deal with Isarel.
“We are receiving Prime Minister Modi in a historic visit that will demonstrate the strong ties and relations between the Palestinian people and the brotherly Indian people,” Mr. Abbas tells PTI in an e-mail interview.
Though India has shied away from becoming a party in the Israel-Palestinian conflict, the Palestinian leader on several occasions has stressed on a possible role for New Delhi in the Middle East peace process.
Modi's itinerary
In Ramallah, the Prime Minister will lay a wreath on the tomb of late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, tour the Arafat museum (both are located on the Palestinian Presidential Secretariat premises), hold bilateral discussions and have lunch with the Palestinian leader.
