President Pranab Mukherjee to visit Israel, Jordan and Palestine from October 10
New Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee will undertake an official visit to Jordan, Palestine and Israel from October 10 to 15, with the trip marking the first official visit by either an Indian head of state or head of government to Israel.
President Mukherjee will visit and address Israel Parliament, Knesset and will also receive an honorary doctorate from the Hebrew University during the Israel leg of his visit. He will also pay a visit to the mausoleum of former PLO leader Yaseer Arafat in the Palestinian town of Ramallah.
Ahead of his visit, the ministry of external affairs (MEA) made it clear that India is “steadfast in its support to the Palestinian cause” and stands for a Palestinian nation with East Jerusalem as its capital. India also said it stands for a peaceful resolution of the Palestinian issue. India is also expected to announce US$ 5 million as development assistance to Palestine during the visit.
India also expects to boost ties with Israel as it has bought defence equipment from the Jewish nation amounting to billions of dollars in the past 10 to 12 years.
India is keen to be seen as a friend of both Israel and Palestine and does not want to be seen as leaning towards either side.
New Delhi is sticking to its traditional position on the Palestinian issue despite growing ties with the Jewish nation. The six-day Presidential visit, beginning on October 10, will see President Mukherjee visit Jordan first till October 12 where he is expected to make an appeal for help in securing release of 39 Indians held captive by the IS in the Mosul town of Iraq.
After that, he will travel to Palestine on October 12 and will hold talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. After the culmination of the visit to Palestine, President Mukherjee will start his visit to Israel from October 13. “It is a first state visit to Israel with full ceremonies,” secretary (East) in the MEA Anil Wadhwa said on Tuesday.
“Many heads of state of other countries may have visited Israel in the past but not many have had the honour of addressing the Knesset,” Mr Wadhwa said.
