New Delhi:
Weeks after giving ceremonial welcome to Israel’s Prime Minister and “close friend” Benjamin Netanyahu, PM Modi will visit Palestinian territories on Saturday.
India has been an old champion for Palestinian cause but Narendra Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the Islamic nation.
Modi’s visit to Palestine is being seen as an effort to balance warming ties with Israel as India turned to the Jewish state for high-end military equipment.
Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas terming Modi’s visit as “historic” sought India’s intervention to resolve conflict with Israel.
PM Modi is on a three-nation tour of Jordon, Palestine, and UAE starting Friday. This is PM Modi’s fifth such visit to West Asia and the Gulf region.
Earlier on Friday, Modi arrived in Jordon and met country’s King Abdullah II.
"Had a wonderful meeting with His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan. Our discussions today will give great strength to India-Jordan bilateral relations," PM Modi tweeted after meeting the King.
HIGHLIGHTS | PM Modi’s visit to Palestine, Sultanate of Oman, and UAE:
# The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi himself and the royal family were present at the airport to receive PM Modi. This is an exceptional honour: Vijay Gokhale, Foreign Secretary
# 6 MoUs were signed between India and Palestine with the value of USD 40 million. This was welcomed by President Mahmoud Abbas and his side: Vijay Gokhale, Foreign Secretary
# This was the first visit to Jordan by an Indian PM in three decades after Rajiv Gandhi: Vijay Gokhale, Foreign Secretary
# To deepen bilateral cooperation in the field of finance, an MoU between Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) was signed and exchanged. It aims at enhancing cooperation between both the countries in financial services industry: MEA
# An MoU for Technical Cooperation in Rail Sector was also signed between Ministry of Railways, India and Federal Transport Authority - Land & Maritime of UAE. The MoU aims at cooperation in Infrastructure sector especially Railways: MEA
# To cooperate in the field of Manpower, India and UAE signed an MoU aiming to institutionalise collaborative administration of contractual employment of Indian workers in UAE: MEA
# MoU between Indian Consortium and ADNOC was signed for the acquisition of 10% participating interest in offshore Lower Zakum Concession from 2018 to 2057. It is 1st Indian investment in upstream oil sector of UAE, transforming buyer-seller relationship to long-term investor relationship: MEA
# The MoUs are related to energy sector, railways, manpower and financial services: MEA
# 5 government-to-government MoUs signed between India and UAE in the presence of PM Narendra Modi and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
# Delegation level talks led by PM Narendra Modi and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
# Members of Committee of the temple which will be inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi presented literature on temple to PM Modi and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi
# Prime Minister will be speaking from the Royal Box in Sultan Qaboos stadium. Royal Box is used by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos only and PM will be the first visiting dignitary who is being given the honour of addressing the community from the box: Indra Mani Pandey, India ambassador to Oman
# Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
# Prime Minister Narendra Modi given ceremonial reception in Abu Dhabi, UAE
# Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaches Abu Dhabi, UAE
# PM Modi will visit Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque on 12th February and attend the community event at Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex tomorrow.
# Prime Minister Narendra Modi departs for Jordan from Palestine's Ramallah
# We hope for peace and stability in Palestine. We believe a permanent solution is possible with dialogue. Only diplomacy and farsightedness can set free from violence and baggage of the past. We know it is not easy but we need to keep trying as a lot is at stake: PM Modi in Palestine
# I have assured President Abbas that India is bound by a promise to take care of Palestinian people's interests. India hopes that soon Palestine will come a free country in a peaceful manner: PM Modi in Palestine
# I am happy to announce that we will double the exchange of students from this year taking it from 50 to 100: PM Narendra Modi
# India is aiding construction of an Institute of Diplomacy in Palestine. I am happy that we are moving forward with our developmental corporation forward during this visit: PM Modi
# People of Palestine have continuously shown exemplary courage in extremely tough times, in spite of the fact that there was an unstable environment. The way you moved forward in such a situation is praiseworthy, we appreciate it: PM Modi in Palestine
# India and Palestine's relations have stood the test of time. Palestine has always taken a top spot in our foreign policy: PM Narendra Modi
# This is an honour for India and a symbol of Palestine's friendship. I thank you on behalf of all Indians for this: PM Modi on the Grand Collar of the State of Palestine conferred on him
# It is my honour to welcome you as a great guest, on your first historic visit to Palestine which holds, to you personally and to the people of India, sentiments of love and appreciation. Indian leadership has always stood by peace in Palestine: President Mahmoud Abbas
# Exchange of agreements & press statements of India & Palestine in Ramallah
# The commendation reads “In recognition of his wise leadership and his lofty national and international stature, and in appreciation of his efforts to promote the historic relations between the State of Palestine and the Republic of India’’
# In special recognition of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s contribution to relations between India and Palestine, President Abbas conferred the Grand Collar of the State of Palestine on him after the conclusion of their bilateral meeting. (The Grand Collar is the Highest order given to foreign dignitaries- Kings, Heads of State/Government and persons of similar rank).
# Prime Minister Narendra Modi accorded ceremonial guard of honour at Al-Muqata'a, compound of the presidential headquarters in Palestine's Ramallah
# PM Modi lays wreath at Mausoleum of Late President Yasser Arafat in Ramallah.
# Reached Palestine. This is a historic visit that will lead to stronger bilateral cooperation: Modi
# PM Narendra Modi departs for Palestine's Ramallah from Amman, Jordan.
# After that, PM Modi will hold meetings with ministers in Ramallah and exchange several agreements.
# Modi will be received by Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas before the ceremonial welcome in the compound of the Presidential Headquarters, also known as Muqata’a.
# After reaching Ramallah, Modi, along with his Palestinian counterpart Rami Hamdallah, will lay a wreath at the Mausoleum of Late President Yasser Arafa.
# PM Modi, who arrived in Jordon on Friday will take a helicopter from Amman to reach Ramallah since there is no active airport in Palestine.
# Hello and welcome to the live updates on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic visit to Palestine.
