New Delhi: Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is returning home on September 10 evening cutting short his visit to India following the twin bombings in Jerusalem killing 14 people.

An Israeli Embassy spokesman in New Delhi said that Sharon will be returning home on September 10 evening because of the blasts overnight and his programme in Mumbai on September 11 stood cancelled.

Sharon, the first Israeli Prime Minister to come to India after the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1992, had arrived in New Delhi on September 8 night on a four-day visit.

After his ceremonial welcome on September 9, Sharon held talks with Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha and National Security Advisor Brajesh Mishra, focussing on ways to combat terrorism, a menace which has affected both the countries.

After talks with the Prime Minister on September 9 night, the two countries signed six agreements, including the one on drug trafficking.

Israel blamed Palestinian Authority and the Hamas militia for carrying out the suicide bombings at an Army base and at a night spot in Jerusalem killing at least 14 and wounding dozens.

PTI