India concerned about instability in the Middle East region: President Pranab Mukherjee's interview to Jordan Times

The President 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 saidIndia 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 Pranab Mukherjee to the Jordan Times which appeared in the newspaper on Oct 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 4^th 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.