PM Narendra Modi's three-nation tour to begin today with historic Palestine visit

With an agenda of strengthening India's engagement with the West Asian and the Gulf region, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will start his visit to Palestine, UAE and Oman today.

The Prime Minister's visit to Palestine assumes importance as it comes at a time when India and Israel are moving closer. Narendra Modi visited Israel last year in July becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the country. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reciprocated the gesture by visiting India in January this year.

Narendra Modi will be the first Indian prime minister to visit Palestine. In a facebook post, the prime minister said,"I look forward to strengthening India's growing and important ties with West Asia and the Gulf region through the visit."


The Prime Minister will transit through Jordan. He will meet King Abdullah II of Jordan on February 9. From there he will take a chopper and reach Ramallah in West Bank where he will meet the Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.


Modi will visit the UAE from February 10-11. Modi said that the Gulf country is an important strategic partner.

"I will be discussing our progress in these areas and more in my meetings with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi," Modi said in his post, according to PTI.

After his UAE visit, Modi will travel to Oman in the final leg of his visit from February 11-12. Describing the country as a close maritime neighbour with whom India enjoys excellent ties, Modi will meet the Sultan of Oman and other top leaders. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also interact with business leaders in Oman with an objective to further strengthen India' economic ties with Oman.