External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will visit Palestine and Israel on Sunday, her first visit to West Asia, where India is trying to expand its diplomatic relations. According to PTI, Swaraj will look to boost bilateral engagement with Palestine on January 17. “The visit will also reaffirm India's continued political, diplomatic and developmental support to Palestine,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.

Swaraj will then leave Palestine for Israel, where she will spend two days liaising with Israeli leadership including the country's president, prime minister, defence minister and legislators. India is Israel’s biggest buyer of military equipment, including weapon systems, missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles, PTI reported. Relations between India and Israel have been growing stronger over the last few months, with President Pranab Mukherjee becoming the first Indian head of state to visit the nation in October.