New Delhi: In a quick damage control, the Rashtrapati Bhavan Thursday denied reports that President Pranab Mukherjee has refused to visit Israel unless it is accompanied by a visit to Palestine.
Rashtrapati Bhavan spokesman said there was no truth in such reports.
The statement by the Rashtrapati Bhavan came a day after some media outlets reported that the central government had proposed the presidential visits in 2015 which included Israel and five other countries.
According to the reports, the president had refused to visit Israel unless it is accompanied by a visit to Palestine.
India has a long-standing relation with Palestine, and is known for its strong stand towards Palestinian cause. The BJP led central government however is deviating from this Nehruian foreign policy and is showing tilt towards Israel, media reported said Wednesday.
The president's reported refusal to visit Israel unless it is accompanied by Palestine was seen as a jolt to the BJP government in Delhi.
It is customary for the world leaders to visit Palestine whenever they make a visit to Israel. In May 2014, Pope Francis also visited both the countries following the same norm.
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