In a bid to deepen the mutual understanding at political level and boost bilateral engagement with Palestine and Israel, Sushma Swaraj will visit the two countries on January 17-18. This will be Swaraj’s first visit to West Asia after taking over as External Affairs Minister in May 2014 though she had visited Israel in 2008 as chairperson of the Indo-Israel Parliamentary Friendship Group.
While her visit is expected to build on the goodwill generated by President Pranab Mukherjee’s tour to these countries last October, it is also expected that she will do some ground work to pave way for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to these countries this year. Swaraj had in last June announced about Modi’s plan to travel Israel. The dates of Modi’s visit are yet to be worked out. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is also expected to visit India this year.
Swaraj will first visit Palestine on January 17 when she will hold talks with leadership of the country and inaugurate the Palestine Digital learning and Innovation Centre in Ramallah. “This is the first visit of External Affairs Minister to West Asia region and Palestine is the first destination which in itself reflects the importance India holds for Palestine in its engagement with the countries of the region. The visit will also reaffirm India’s continued political, diplomatic and developmental support to Palestine and will further deepen the mutual understanding at the political level, boost bilateral engagement with Palestine,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said on Tuesday.
Swaraj will reach Israel the same day for a two-day visit during which she will hold discussions with the Israeli leadership and review the entire gamut of India-Israel relations. “India’s relations with Israel are part of its engagement with the broader West Asia region and are independent of its relations with any other country in the region. The visit will augment India’s bilateral relations with Israel and further strengthen the linkages between the two sides,” said Swarup. Swaraj will also interact with the Indian community in Israel.
“The visit is an important ingredient in the ever-growing relations, friendship and partnership between the two countries,” the Israeli Embassy said in a statement.