PM Modi's visit to Israel worrisome, says Congress

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's proposed visit to Israel is "worrisome" as it undermines India's position on Palestine and also "destroys balance" in foreign policy, senior Congress leader Anand Sharma said on Wednesday.

Addressing reporters in Hyderabad, the Congress deputy leader in Rajya Sabha said India has had a consistent and firm position on the rights of Palestinians for a state of their own since the days of Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.

"So, there has to be balance. This prime minister has actually undermined that balance in India's foreign policy because he has not engaged with the countries of the Middle East, countries of the Gulf. He has diluted India's firm, consistent position on Palestine," he said.

The former minister said the PM has also not engaged with Africa and Latin America.

"Since it (the visit) is confined to Israel, the prime minister must bear this in mind that India has vital interests... economic interests in the countries of the Gulf, countries of the Middle East. There are over seven million Indian diaspora (in these regions)," Sharma cautioned.

"Foreign policy cannot be partisan. He (Modi) is free to travel but the message that he gives and the balance which he destroys...that's worrisome," he said.