While much focus is often given to India’s ‘Act East’ policy, India’s ‘Look West’ policy too is evolving rapidly. Mr. Modi’s Palestine visit — and the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister — coming just weeks after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s high profile visit to India, has been being looked at with significant interest. Mr. Abbas also conferred the ‘Grand Collar of the State of Palestine’ on Mr. Modi in recognition of his key contribution in promoting ties between India and Palestine. Containing ChinaOman has been a long-standing partner of India in West Asia, where Indians constitute the largest expatriate community. China’s expanding footprint in the Indian Ocean Region has alerted India to the possibility of strengthening security ties with littoral states.

Source: The Hindu February 12, 2018 20:03 UTC