New Delhi, Oct 6, IRNA, President of the Palestinian National Authority, Mahmoud Abbas is arriving here Monday night on a state visit to India Mahmoud will be accompanied by the foreign minister, Dr. Riyad Al-Maliki and other senior officials.
During his visit, President Abbas will meet President Mrs. Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Leader of the Opposition L K Advani and Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed.
During his visit, the Palestinian president will lay the foundation stone of the chancery-cum-residence complex of the Embassy of Palestine, a gift from the Indian Government, which is being built in Chanakyapuri in the capital.
The last state visit from Palestine was by Yasser Arafat in 1997, which was followed by a working visit in April 1999.
The visit assumes significance, especially after a series of visits by West Asian leaders in recent months, including Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mahmoud Ahmedinejad.
This also comes at a time when substantive defense cooperation is taking place with the Israeli regime.