Sharon visit won't alter our stand: PM

Vajpayee said India's stand on Palestinian issue would not be diluted.

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Monday said his Israeli counterpart Ariel Sharon's visit to India would boost bilateral ties without diluting New Delhi's stand on the Palestinian issue.

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"Our relations will be further strengthened," Vajpayee told reporters after attending a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan at which President APJ Abdul Kalam inducted two ministers to the council of ministers.

Responding to a question, Vajpayee asserted there was no dilution in India's commitment to the Palestinian cause. "We have taken a principled stand on it," he said.

Sharon arrives here Monday night on a three-day visit, the first by an Israeli prime minister to India since the two countries established diplomatic relations over a decade ago.