New Delhi, Aug 28: Palestine Foreign Minister Nabil Sha'ath will arrive here on a three-day official visit today for talks with Indian leadership on a host of issues including developments in the Middle East peace process and the Iraq situation. Since External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha is on a three-nation visit to Singapore, Australia and Indonesia, his Deputy Vinod Khanna will host Sha'ath.

The Palestinian Minister's visit comes ahead of the landmark trip by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon early next month. Sha'ath, who would be accompanied by a three-member delegation, will call on President A P J Abdul Kalam today and other meetings including a call on Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee are being worked out.

The discussions would cover issues of bilateral, regional and global interest, External Affairs Ministry spokesman told reporters.

His visit comes in response to an invitation extended by Sinha in January this year. New Delhi has pursued a balanced approach in its West Asia policy. While India enjoys long-standing relations with the Arab world, its relations with Israel have also expanded. Well aware of the sensitivities involved, New Delhi has sought to consolidate its ties with the two sides.

Official sources said India views Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's visit, the first ever to India by an Israeli Prime Minister, as an "important diplomatic visit".

Bureau Report