Jordan Times
Sunday, December 3, 2006
King highlights Jordan,
India shared concerns
Settlement of Palestinian-Israeli conflict will have positive impact on
global, regional stability — King
NEW DELHI (Petra) — Jordan and India agreed on
Friday that the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on Palestinian
soil would help restore peace, security and stability in the region.
During a state dinner held by Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam in honour of
Their Majesties King Abdullah and Queen Rania, the Monarch said it is “vital
that the Palestinian people receive justice, and soon.
Events are at a critical stage, and the window of opportunity is small. That
means moving forward, boldly and quickly, as outlined in the Arab Peace
Initiative.” He said such a settlement will have “a profound, positive impact on
global as well as regional stability.”
Peace, stability and progress are important to India and Jordan, he added,
citing both countries’ contributions to international peacekeeping efforts.
“Indeed, it is a measure of our commitment that Jordan and India are among the
top 10 contributors worldwide of UN peacekeeping troops,” King Abdullah said.
Jordan and India, both victims of terrorism, also share a deep understanding
about the damage that extremism brings. The two countries must work together to
defend their people from such dangers, and to protect global peace so that
progress and opportunity can flourish, he said.
Jordan and India have more in common, King Abdullah said, adding that economic
development and progress are an equally vital concern.
“I have been tremendously impressed these last few days to observe how much
Indians and Jordanians have in common, in their positive and forward-looking
approach. Our determined young people, our innovators and visionaries, in
business and government, our compassionate civic leaders — these are the
foundation of our economic and national success.”
The Indian president commended Jordan’s efforts to help find a just and
comprehensive solution for the Palestinian issue, saying that the international
community must exert its utmost efforts to put an end to the suffering of the
Palestinians
Abdul Kalam also thanked Jordan for its support during the first Gulf war in
1991 when the country opened its border crossing with Iraq for the passage of
150,000 Indians fleeing the war-torn country en route to India.
Also on Friday, the King held talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on
bilateral ties and regional developments.
The Monarch said Jordan is keen on benefiting from the development experience of
India, especially in the fields of alternative energy, IT, resources management
and railways.
At the political level, the King urged India to utilise its good ties with both
the Palestinians and the Israelis to revive the peace process.
Following the talks, Amman and New Delhi signed four agreements in agriculture,
tourism, protection and promotion of investment, and a cultural exchange
programme.
The Monarch, who arrived in New Delhi on Thursday for a three-day state visit,
also met separately with Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and
opposition leader Lal Krishna Advani.
On Thursday King Abdullah addressed the Indian Council of World Affairs, calling
for stepped-up global efforts to forge a rapprochement between the Palestinians
and Israelis. He also met with Muslim leaders and held talks with businessmen.
Meanwhile, the King and the Queen discussed prospects of cooperation in the
field of microfinance with the ruling United Progressive Alliance chairperson
Sonia Gandhi.
In an interview with Hindustan Times, published Friday, the King called for
closer cooperation between private sectors in Jordan and India.
The Monarch said his meeting with US President George W. Bush on the eve of his
arrival in India and his talks earlier with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Maliki
were a step towards a solution to the situation in Iraq, warning that the region
will pay a heavy price if this conflict continues. “This conflict will spread
beyond the borders of Iraq,” he said.
Jordan’s major concern is the Israel-Palestine conflict, King Abdullah told the
Indian daily, adding that time is running out.
“If we do not have movement towards a two-state solution within the next six
months,” he said, “then I think there will be no peace between the Israelis and
the Palestinians. And therefore, no peace between Arabs and Israelis,” the King
said, stressing that the importance of the Palestine issue goes beyond the
boundaries of the Middle East.