India concerned about instability in the Middle East region resulting in increased terrorist activities across the world, says President
India concerned about instability in the Middle East region
resulting in increased terrorist activities across the world, says President
The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee has said that
India is concerned about the spill over effects of instability in the Middle
East Region, resulting in increased terrorist activities across the world,
including in South Asia. He was replying to written questions from the Jordan
Times on the eve of his visit to Jordan, Palestine and Israel from October 10
to 15, 2015.
The President said the reality of global expansion of
terrorism, including in Syria and Iraq and globalization of the supply chain of
terrorism is a matter of great concern to India. India has faced terrorism for
almost four decades, largely sponsored from across our border. India has sought
to challenge and repudiate the terrorist narrative that global
counter-terrorism efforts are directed against any particular religion or
ethnic group. India is convinced that
terrorism can be rolled back only through comprehensive, coordinated
international cooperation combined with a strengthened, enforceable
international legal regime.
The President said India and Jordan share similar views and
perceptions on regional and international issues, including Syria and the
Middle East Peace Process. India strongly rejects religious fundamentalism and
extremism as well as terrorism in all forms and manifestations. Given the
commonality of security concerns of both the countries, India looks forward to
further strengthening cooperation in the area of security and counter
terrorism.
FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF INTERVIEW OF THE PRESIDENT OF
INDIA, SHRI PRANAB MUKHERJEE TO THE JORDAN TIMES WHICH APPEARED IN
THE NEWSPAPER ON OCTOBER 8, 2015
Q.1. Congratulating His Majesty King Abdullah on Jordan's
Independence Day on May 25 this year, Your Excellency had expressed confidence
that the bonds of friendship between the people of the two countries will be
further strengthened in the years to come. Surely, the visit by Indian
President to the Kingdom serves this purpose. In which areas, in particular, will
the people of the two countries see stronger bonds and cooperation?
Ans.: Bilateral ties between the two countries have been
close, cordial and warm; encompassing political, trade, economy, defence and
culture.
We attach great importance to our friendship with Jordan.
This year we are celebrating the 65th Anniversary of establishment of
diplomatic relations. All these years, our relations have grown from strength
to strength covering all fields and will be further upgraded. Trade and economy
has been the hallmark of our bilateral relations with India emerging as the 4th
largest trading partner for Jordan in 2014.
We share similar views and perceptions on regional and
international issues, including Syria and the Middle East Peace Process. We
strongly reject religious fundamentalism and extremism as well as terrorism in
all forms and manifestations. Given the commonality of security concerns of
both the countries, India looks forward to further strengthening cooperation in
the area of security and counter terrorism.
Trade and investments are key drivers of this relationship.
Business to business (B2B) collaboration between the business communities of
the two countries will be enhanced through the ‘India-Jordan Business Forum”.
Similarly, efforts will be made to reach the trade target of US$ 5 billion from
the current $2 billion by 2025. We invite major businesses from Jordan to avail
of the immense opportunities that are available in India under the Government’s
‘Make in India’ initiative.
Education and research are two other areas of common
interest. My delegation comprises heads of leading Indian universities and
institutions who will be signing MoUs for cooperation and collaboration with
their Jordanian counterparts.
Q2. What are the economic and political areas that the two
countries will address, in particular, during the visit?
Ans.: Trade and economic relations constitute the bedrock of
our bilateral relations. Our bilateral trade volume reached US $ 2.3 billion in
2013-14 and the Joint Trade and Economic Committee meeting held in March, 2015
has discussed in detail how to provide further impetus to our economic
relations, especially in areas such as renewable energy, IT, transport, education,
health and pharmaceuticals.
On the political side, we have a convergence of views on an
array of regional and international issues, including Syria, Middle East Peace
Process, counter-terrorism and United Nations reforms.
India is the largest democracy in the world and Jordan is a
model of democracy for the region. Enhancing parliamentary exchanges and
cooperation will also benefit our two countries and the world.
Q3. Will the visit witness the signing of any cooperation
agreements or memoranda of understanding between the two countries?
Ans.: Yes, there are several Agreements and MoUs in various
fields which will be signed during my visit to Jordan. These will strengthen
the institutional framework for cooperation in specific fields.
Q4. A few years ago, the Joint Jordanian-Indian commercial
volume was in Jordan's favour, but India managed to reverse that. How has India
managed to do that and in which ways can Jordan copy India's example and
benefit from its experience to improve its exports and increase its economic
cooperation with India?
Ans.: Trade is not a zero sum game. India is willing to
bridge the trade deficit through mutual cooperation.
It is true the trade volume has shifted in favour of India
since 2013. But, India remains a major importer of rock phosphates, potash and
finished fertilizers.
We see Jordan as an important partner. Jordan’s strategic
location can help Indian companies target regional markets.
We must expand our relations to new sectors of cooperation.
Jordanian business must show case their products in the Indian market by
participating in major trade fairs. We will be happy to assist Jordanian
companies in this regard. I believe there exists tremendous potential to
further enhance trade between our two countries.
Q5. India, as well as Jordan, is involved in the fight
against terrorism and radical ideologies, how does India see more cooperation
with the Hashemite Kingdom in this regard?
Ans.: I am convinced that terrorism is the biggest threat
confronting the world. Countries like India and Jordan must cooperate in the
fight against terrorism.
India condemns terrorism in all its forms and
manifestations. We believe terrorism should be dealt in a comprehensive manner.
Segmented and partial approaches as adopted by some of the countries have been unsuccessful in countering
terrorism. Dealing with global terror requires coordinated international
cooperation as well as a strengthened and enforceable international legal
regime.
India has adopted a comprehensive approach to deal with the challenge
of terrorism. We have initiated a number of measures to prevent the spread of
extremist ideology, plug financing routes, build domestically a counter
narrative to radicalization, strengthen laws to prosecute terrorists and forge
a network of international partnerships for threat assessment and operational
cooperation.
The reality of global
expansion of terrorism, including in Syria and Iraq and globalization of the
supply chain of terrorism is a matter of great concern to us. India has faced
terrorism for almost four decades, largely sponsored from across our border. We
are concerned about the spill over effects of instability in the region
resulting in increased terrorist activities across the world, including in
South Asia.
We have also sought to
challenge and repudiate the terrorist narrative that global counter-terrorism
efforts are directed against any particular religion or ethnic group. We are convinced
that terrorism can be rolled back only through comprehensive, coordinated international
cooperation combined with a strengthened, enforceable international legal regime.
The global community needs to agree to a legal framework for
diminishing and eventually defeating the scourge of terrorism. India will
continue to strive for achieving progress in the finalization of the draft
Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism, proposed by us first in
1996. It will be our endeavour to see that our core concerns are addressed
during the fifth biennial review of the UN’s Global Counter Terrorism Strategy scheduled
in the 70th Session. It is essential to ensure that UN Counter Terrorism Mechanisms
function in an objective manner and there is strict compliance by Member States
with the UNSC Sanctions Regime.
Q6. In light of the crisis in Syria and other parts of the
region, Jordan has come under a great deal of pressure due to hosting Syrian
refugees and wounded people from Yemen and Libya, how can India assist Jordan
in shouldering this humanitarian mission?
Ans.: India is aware of the impact of the Syrian crisis on
Jordan’s resources. We appreciate and commend Jordan, its leadership and its
people for their compassion and untiring efforts to mitigate the sufferings of
the victims of the ongoing strife in Syria. In appreciation of the Jordanian
government’s efforts and in keeping with our historical, brotherly relations,
the Government of India has extended cash assistance of US $ 500,000 to the
Government of Jordan as part of the pledge made at the 3rd Pledging Conference
on Syria held in Kuwait in March, 2015. Last year, India also paid US $ 500,000
to the Jordan Response Fund.
Q7. One last question, from India, who are the members of
the President's accompanying delegation?
Ans.: My entourage comprises of a Minister, Members of
Parliament representing major political parties in India; an academic
delegation which includes heads of leading institutions of higher education and
senior officials.
Q8. Regarding the issue of the Palestinian-Israeli struggle
and faltering peace negotiations, amid repeated Israeli acts of aggression
against Palestinians and Palestinian Islamic sites in Jerusalem, and in other
Palestinian territories, what is India's position?
Ans.: In line with our longstanding support to the Palestinian
cause, India will continue to support initiatives at the UN for an early
realization of a sovereign, independent, viable and united State of Palestine
within secured and recognized borders, side by side and at peace with Israel,
with East Jerusalem as its capital, as endorsed in the Arab Peace Initiative, Quartet
Roadmap and relevant UN resolutions.
Q9. Is the President's visit part of a tour that will also
cover Israel and maybe the Palestinian territories, as well, and what message
will India convey there (on the Palestinian issue)?
Ans.: Yes, I will be travelling to Palestine and then to
Israel. This is the first time ever that an Indian President is visiting
Jordan, Palestine and Israel. It is therefore a historic visit.
India has always had strong and close relations with this
region. My visit will reinforce these relations.
India remains firm in its commitment towards the Palestinian
cause, even as we pursue good relations with the State of Israel. We have
called upon both sides to exercise restraint and work towards a comprehensive
resolution of the Palestinian issue. Apart from strong political support to the
Palestinian cause at international, regional and bilateral levels, we have been
providing budgetary, economic and developmental assistance.
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