New Delhi: Ahead of his visit to Palestine, the UAE and Oman, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asserted that the Gulf and West Asian region was a key priority in India's external engagement and his trip was aimed at strengthening ties with the region.

Modi will be on the three-nation tour from February 9-12. He said it would be his fifth visit to the Gulf and the West Asian region since 2015.

"This region is a key priority in our external engagement. We enjoy vibrant multi-dimensional ties with the countries here," he said.

"I look forward to strengthening India's growing and important ties with West Asia and the Gulf region through the visit," Modi said in a Facebook post.

Noting that this would be the first-ever prime ministerial visit to Palestine from India, Modi said he was looking forward to his discussions with President Mahmoud Abbas and reaffirming India's support for the Palestinian people and the development of Palestine.

Modi said his visit will begin from Palestine on February 10 after transiting through Jordan. "I am grateful to His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan for facilitating the transit. I look forward to meeting him in Amman on February 9," he wrote.

Modi said he will visit the UAE from February 10-11. Describing the Gulf country as a "valued strategic partner", Modi said that India has fast-tracked cooperation with the UAE in all major spheres, including economy, energy, high technology and security.

"I will be discussing our progress in these areas and more in my meetings with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi," Modi said in his post.

He said he will also be addressing the 6th edition of the World Government Summit in Dubai, where India is the guest country.

During the visit, Modi said he will engage with leading UAE and Arab CEOs in Dubai on the vast economic opportunities in India and what more can be done to bolster business collaboration.

Noting that Oman was a close maritime neighbour with whom India enjoys excellent relations, Modi said in the last leg of his trip from February 11-12, he will visit the country for the first time as prime minister and will hold talks with the Sultan of Oman and other key leaders.