2 min readOct 11, 2015 10:40 AM IST
First published on: Oct 11, 2015 at 03:42 AM IST
Pranab Mukherjee with Jordanian King Abdullah II, in Amman, Saturday. (AP photo)
Talking to King Abdullah II of Jordan, during the first ever visit by an Indian president to the country, Pranab Mukherjee Saturday said India “completely identified with ideas expressed by the King” during the recent session of the United Nations General Assembly, where he underlined “respecting one another’s faith” and “being intolerant to intolerance” as among the measures to tackle growing extremism.
Mukherjee arrived in Amman on Saturday noon on the first leg of a five-day tour, which will take him through Jordan, Palestine and Israel, a first for an Indian president in all three parts. He arrived to a ceremonial reception, followed by one-on-one meeting with King Abdullah, delegation-level talks, inauguration of a JIFFCO plant, and a State banquet hosted for him.
Terror figured in a big way in the talks, with both sides recognising Jordan’s position in the “forefront of terrorism”. While the specific threat posed by the Islamic State, now approaching Jordan’s borders, was not discussed, the two countries agreed that a joint effort was needed to tackle rising extremism. Officials confirmed that efforts to find the 39 Indians missing in IS-captured Iraq territory now are an issue of continuous dialogue with the Jordanians, among other countries.
During the talks, King Abdullah said Jordan supported India’s bid for permanent membership of the Security Council.
Mukherjee outlined the direction of the Indian economy, saying if poverty had to be cut, the country needs to continue to grow at 8 per cent for the next 10 years. The President extended $1 million line of credit to Jordan as part of extending trade and cooperation between the two countries.
Pranab Mukherjee with Jordanian King Abdullah II, in Amman, Saturday. (AP photo)
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