Ranchi: The External Affairs Minister, Yashwant Sinha on September 16 said there was no change in India's policy towards Arab countries and its commitment to the cause of Palestine was as strong as ever.

''There is no change in Arab policy. Earlier we were committed to the Palestine cause and today too we are committed to it,'' Sinha told reporters when asked whether Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's visit marked a shift in West Asia policy.

''India recognized Israel in 1950. Diplomatic relations (with Israel) were established in 1992. And after a gap of 11 years, an Israeli Prime Minister has visited India...So, it is not that something has happened all of a sudden,'' he said.

Replying to a query on world trade talks in Cancun, he said as the commerce minister said India had some very important issues, which the developed countries did not try to understand. ''So we could not compromise on the issues with which we are concerned. There will be talks again.''

Sinha, who left for his home-town Hazaribag by road, however ducked a question on talks with Pakistan.

PTI