President leaves for Israel and Palestine
President Pranab Mukherjee left on a six-day historic visit to Israel and Palestine. This provides an opportunity for him to impress upon the leadership there to reduce tensions between the two nations. The President was given a ceremonial send-off, with Prime Minister Modi, Delhi Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung, the three armed service chiefs and other bureaucrats present to see him off.
In what will be the first state visit to each of the three countries, Mukherjee will travel to Jordan, Palestine and Israel starting October 10. During this trip a number of deals have been lined up in areas ranging from culture to technology. The President's delegation includes Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thaawar Chand Gehlot and six members of Parliament.
President Mukherjee will first visit Jordan for a two-day stay after which he will travel to Palestine on October 12 and then Israel for a three-day visit from October 13. During the Jordan visit, the President is scheduled to deliver a speech at the University of Jordan and meet the Indian community, besides holding bilateral discussions with the leadership there.
In Palestine, President Pranab Mukherjee will meet his counterpart Mahmoud Abbas, besides Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah. He will also address the Al Quds University and inaugurate the Jawaharlal Nehru Secondary School at Abu Dees. India's relationship with Palestine, has been of aid and assistance at all levels. During the visit, an Indian aid of about USD 5 million is expected to be announced.
India had announced budgetary assistance to a tune of US$ 30 million to Palestine and have already transferred US$ 25 million so far. India had also announced project assistance to a tune of US$ 30 million.
The visit to Israel, in the last and final leg, holds importance for bilateral ties that have been warming up significantly in recent years. Here Mr Mukherjee will interact with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin and meet the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The highlight of the President's visit to Israel will be his address to its Parliament Knesset, a rare honour for any visiting leader.
In terms of bilateral trade, India has exchanged merchandise worth $1.89 billion with Jordan and $4.5 billion with Israel in 2014. India is Israel's tenth largest trade partner overall, and Israel's third largest trade partner in Asia after China and Hong Kong.
