Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Palestine which will look forward to cooperation in key areas of defence, security and counter-terrorism. India has long connection with Palestine when Yaser Arafat headed the country and a long drawn campaign against Israel. Indo-Palestinian relations have been largely influenced by the independence struggle against British colonialism. India recognised Palestine’s statehood following declaration on 18 November 1988; although relations between India and Palestine Liberations Oragnisation (PLO) were first established in 1974. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Israel, there has been increased cooperation in military and intelligence ventures. The fall of the Soviet Union and the rise of Islamist anti-state activities in both countries paved the way for a strategic alliance. Since then, Indian support for Palestine has been lukewarm although India still recognises the legitimacy of aspirations of Palestine. Besides Palestine, Modi would be visiting other West Asian countries of UAE and Oman in an effort to “broad- base” India’s engagement with these countries and focus on more strategic spheres such as defence and security, trade and investment. With the change geo-political aspirations and defence requirements India’s closeness to Israel in the strategic sector the visit of PM to West Asian countries no doubt would be able to open new vistas of cooperation but response could be lukewarm one. Like Palestine, UAE and Oman are no aliens to India. How far India is going to win over these nations on the counter-terror philosophy? This has to be seen in near future. Good ties with the Gulf nations are very crucial for India as it is located in a very important geo- strategic position. If we look at our strategic dimension with Oman, keeping in view our defence and security arrangement, it is important. As far as Palestine is concerned, it is also an important partner of India in fight against terrorism. Counter terrorism is one of the key areas of our bilateral engagement with Palestine. Keeping in view the long relations Prime Minister’s visit to West Asian countries will help further isolating Pakistan in world fora.