Sushma to visit Palestine on Jan. 17

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will visit Palestine on January 17.

She will be accompanied by Secretary (East) Anil Wadhwa and other officials from Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

This is Swaraj's first visit to West Asia region, and Palestine will be her first destination, which reflects the importance that India holds for Palestine in its engagement with the countries of the region.

President Pranab Mukherjee has visited Palestine in October last.

During her visit, Swaraj will meet with the Palestinian leadership and review India-Palestinian bilateral relations.

India shares traditionally close relations with Palestine and contributing actively through capacity building and human resource development initiatives with Palestine.

The visit will also reaffirm India's continued political, diplomatic and developmental support to Palestine.

Swaraj will also inaugurate the Palestine Digital Learning and Innovation Centre in Ramallah.

The visit will further deepen the mutual understanding at the political level and boost bilateral engagement with Palestine.