Modi to be the first Indian PM to visit Israel

New Delhi, June 1: Breaking yet another stereotype, Narendra Modi is to set sail to Israel. While the diplomatic visit is likely to strengthen the bilateral defence co-operation between the two countries, the event itself is marked as a significant point in history.

While the Israeli PM in 2003, Ariel Sharon, had visited India in 2003, there have been very few diplomats who have visited the nation from our side.

Among them were LK Advani when he was the Home Minister in teh Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, Jaswant Singh and SM Krishna had visited as the external affairs minister. And then recently, Rajnath Singh visited the country.

Confirming that she would be heading to the country first, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj said that dates for Modi's visit to the country have not yet been finalised. "As far as my visit is concerned, it will take place this year. I will visit, Israel, Palestine and Jordan. As far as Prime Minister's visit is concerned, he will travel to Israel. No dates have been finalised. It will take place as per mutually convenient dates," she said.

She further informed that the PM will visit Turkey to attend the G-20 summit later this year while she will be travelling to Iran to attend the NAM Summit this year. Evidently, Modi is in an effort to spread his wings in the neighboring countries when he is said to have decided travelling the Central Asian countries "As far as my visit is concerned, it will take place this year. I will visit, Israel, Palestine and Jordan. As far as Prime Minister's visit is concerned, he will travel to Israel. No dates have been finalised. It will take place as per mutually convenient dates,"

Upholding India-Israel ties since 1950, Swaraj further added that the relationship has gone a long way since then. She also confirmed that India has never let down the Palestinian cause and will continue to support it.

OneIndia News