Within a month of hosting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Natanyahu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to visit Palestine in the second week of February to reaffirm India’s ‘unwavering support’ to the cause of Palestinians despite New Delhi’s growing partnership with the Jewish nation.

An official announcement on Saturday evening said Modi would be on a State-visit to Palestine, UAE and Oman from 9-12 February.

This will be the first-ever visit undertaken by an Indian Prime Minister to Ramallah as part of New Delhi’s outreach to the Arab world which was greatly upset when Modi visited Israel last summer while skipping a tour to Palestine. Modi’s stand-alone visit to Israel had drawn sharp criticism from political parties in India too as this was seen as an attempt by the BJP-led NDA government to dilute the country’s stand on the Palestine issue.

However, the Modi government gave firm indication of its commitment to the Palestinian cause when it voted at the UN against a US move to shift its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. Modi has time and again emphasised India’s commitment to see the realisation of a sovereign, independent, united and viable Palestine, co-existing peacefully with Israel.

Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas, who had visited New Delhi in May last year, is also said to be keenly looking forward to Modi’s visit. The visit by the leader of the largest democracy in the world to Palestine will obviously enhance his political standing also. Recently, he promptly acted when India lodged a strong protest with Palestine after its envoy in Pakistan shared the dais with Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed at a public rally. The Palestine envoy was immediately withdrawn lest his continuance casts a shadow on India-Palestine ties.

Official sources said the dates of Modi’s path-breaking visit to Palestine were finalised as soon as the Israeli PM concluded his trip to India. Asked how Israel looked at Modi’s upcoming visit to Palestine, sources said the Israelis fully realise that India was committed to its ties with the Arab world and would not abandon the cause of the Palestinians.

Besides Palestine, Modi will travel to UAE and Oman during the tour of the Middle East. He is scheduled to address the 6th World Government Summit in Dubai during his visit to UAE. India is the guest country for the annual gathering of VIPs and experts from public and private sectors around the world. He will also address members of the Indian community in UAE and Oman.