Ramallah:  The Palestinian Presidency on Wednesday welcomed the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of his visit to Palestine on February 10, the first ever prime ministerial visit from India here.

"The Palestinian Presidency welcomes the historic and important visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the city of Ramallah on Saturday, the first of an Indian prime minister to Palestine," Palestinian news agency WAFA reported.

"The visit is considered historical, because it will be the first for an Indian Prime Minister to visit Palestine," the report said.

Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas will welcome PM Modi at the presidential headquarters in Ramallah, where the two will discuss issues of mutual interest and the latest political developments in the region.


"The Presidency said the visit will be a unique chance to express appreciation for India's ongoing support and positions that support peace and Palestinians' right to freedom and independence," the report said.

India has been continuously supporting the Palestinian cause at various international fora. New Delhi voted in the UN General Assembly in December last year against US President Donald Trump's unilateral recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

"The meeting will also discuss the regional and international situations of common concern, stressing that the visit will also be an opportunity to thank India for its continued support and support for peace and the right of our people to freedom and independence," the report said.

The visit will witness the signing of a number of bilateral agreements between the two countries "aimed at strengthening the bonds of friendship between the Palestinian and Indian peoples and enhancing cooperation in a number of important fields".

PM Modi will visit Ramallah on Saturday on the first leg of his three-nation tour that will also take him to the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

This will be the fourth meeting between PM Modi and President Abbas after their meetings on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in 2015 and in the Paris climate summit later that year and the Palestinian President's visit to India last year.



 

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Pilibhit (UP) (PTI): Three criminals allegedly involved in a grenade attack in Gurdaspur were injured in an encounter with a joint team of Uttar Pradesh and Punjab police here early Monday, officials said.

The accused were identified as Gurvinder Singh (25), Virender Singh alias Ravi (23), and Jaspreet Singh alias Pratap Singh (18), all residents of Gurdaspur, police said.

The encounter took place in the Puranpur area here.

Amitabh Yash, Director General (Law and Order), Uttar Pradesh Police said the trio was involved in a grenade attack on a police checkpoint in Gurdaspur, Punjab.

"The three sustained serious injuries in the encounter and were immediately rushed to CHC Puranpur for treatment," he said.

Two AK-47 rifles, two Glock pistols, and a huge cache of ammunition were seized from them, he said.

"The situation on the ground is under control and legal proceedings are underway," Yash said.