President of India likely to visit Israel, Palestine in October

[Hindustani78]

President likely to visit Israel, Palestine in October | The Siasat Daily
July 20, 2015


President Pranab Mukherjee is likely to visit Israel as also Palestine in October this year, making it the maiden trip by an Indian Head of State to the West Asian countries.

Jordan is also expected to be on the itinerary of the trip, official sources said here today.

The fact that Palestine and Jordan are also expected to be on the travel itinerary makes it clear that India does not want to give an impression of being tilted towards Israel.

External Affairs Minister Suhma Swaraj had earlier said in June that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be travelling to Israel, Palestine and Jordan this year.

Sources said the idea of the visit to Israel was generated after RSS and other ideologues of the NDA government pitched for openly embracing the Jewish nation as a friend.

However, the government preferred to do a balancing act by including Palestine in the trip.

India had established “full” diplomatic relationship with Israel in 1992 though it had recognised the country in 1950.

L K Advani had visited Israel when he was Home Minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. Jaswant Singh and S M Krishna had visited the Jewish nation as External Affairs Ministers. Recently Home Minister Rajnath Singh had also visited Israel.

 

[Hindustani78]

Pranab to visit Jordan, Palestine, Israel - The Hindu

Jewish holy sites in the Old City of Jerusalem will not be part of the visit
Marking a historic first in India’s diplomacy, President Pranab Mukherjee will begin a trip to Jordan, Palestine and most importantly, Israel, from October 10. The three-stop, five-day tour will be noted especially since it will be the first time that an Indian President will be visiting Jerusalem, since normalisation and upgrading of India-Israel diplomatic ties in 1992.

Despite being connected by deep defence and strategic ties, India had avoided sending the President to Israel in the past. According to diplomatic sources, President Mukherjee will visit the Yad Vashem, the famous Holocaust Memorial on a hill near Jerusalem, apart from addressing the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament. The visit as of now, will follow the “official protocol” that means the Jewish holy sites in the Old City of Jerusalem will not be part of the visit.

Secretary (East) Anil Wadhwa said Mr. Mukherjee’s delegation would include Vice-Chancellors of Jamia Millia Islamia and Jawaharlal Nehru University — both of which are known for anti-Israel protests and support for the Palestinian cause. During the two-day trip to Israel, Mr. Mukherjee will hold talks with President Reuven Rivlin, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and oversee agreements on water usage, and academic exchanges.

The President’s visit to Israel is significant as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also expected to follow his flight path to Israel in near future as announced by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on May 30.

The three-nation tour will take President Mukherjee to the heart of the Arab-Israel region as he will be welcomed first in Jordanian capital Amman, and then proceed to the Palestinian capital Ramallah and Jerusalem. Mr. Mukherjee will be accompanied by six members of Parliament and Thawar Chand Gahlot, Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment.


Following his visit to Amman, the President will visit Ramallah where he will pay floral tributes at the mausoleum of the late Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat. At Ramallah, he will meet President Mahmoud Abbas and hold talks. The visit, however, will not include a trip to Gaza, which is under the control of Hamas.

 

[Abingdonboy]

Secretary (East) Anil Wadhwa said Mr. Mukherjee’s delegation would include Vice-Chancellors of Jamia Millia Islamia and Jawaharlal Nehru University — both of which are known for anti-Israel protests and support for the Palestinian cause.

The Israelis are being very accommodating to India in this regard, usually they would not let such clowns within a hundred miles of their territory and certainly wouldn't issue them visas.

This says a lot about how much value Israel puts in this relationship with India.

 

[Hindustani78]

The Israelis are being very accommodating to India in this regard, usually they would not let such clowns within a hundred miles of their territory and certainly wouldn't issue them visas.

This says a lot about how much value Israel puts in this relationship with India.

We let all the citizens including Israelis but i dont think that the Israelis will have any objection who are accompanying with the President of India.

 

[Abingdonboy]

We let all the citizens including Israelis but i dont think that the Israelis will have any objection who are accompanying with the President of India.

Well that is the point- the reason they have no objection is because they are accompanying the President of INDIA.
Because these are Indians the Israelis are being uncharacteristically lenient.

 

[Nilgiri]

I think the real question is why did we decide to send such people on the trip in the first place?

We are already sending a somewhat balanced message by combining Palestine in the itinerary and massively increasing trade and economic relations with Iran overall.....and now we have to add insult to injury by sending anti-Israel bozos with the delegation.....and that too happening under Modi rule. Disappointing.

 

[kurup]

The Israelis are being very accommodating to India in this regard, usually they would not let such clowns within a hundred miles of their territory and certainly wouldn't issue them visas.

This says a lot about how much value Israel puts in this relationship with India.

Why the f**k is that @ssholes accompanying our President ??

 

[Hindustani78]

President's Secretariat
08-October, 2015 13:57 IST
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 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.


***

 

[Hindustani78]

I think the real question is why did we decide to send such people on the trip in the first place?

We are already sending a somewhat balanced message by combining Palestine in the itinerary and massively increasing trade and economic relations with Iran overall.....and now we have to add insult to injury by sending anti-Israel bozos with the delegation.....and that too happening under Modi rule. Disappointing.

If you remember the Israeli PM Sharon visit to India when Atal JI was PM , even during that time India's policy towards the Palestine issue was straight on UN resolutions.


Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
09-October, 2015 18:58 IST
Thaawar Chand Gehlot to accompany the President of India on three nation’s tour

Shri Thaawar Chand Gehlot, Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment will accompany the President of India on three nation’s tour from October 10 to October 15, 2015. During the period as part of the entourage he will visit Jordan, Palestine and Israel.

***

 

[Nilgiri]

If you remember the Israeli PM Sharon visit to India when Atal JI was PM , even during that time India's policy towards the Palestine issue was straight on UN resolutions.

Well I was expecting something noticeably different from Modi compared to Vajpayee admin which was not an outright majority and had coalition partners to keep happy etc...

 

[Hindustani78]

Well I was expecting something noticeably different from Modi compared to Vajpayee admin which was not an outright majority and had coalition partners to keep happy etc...

PM Modi is expanding the same policy which was adopted by Ex PM Atal Ji. Regional countries are co ordinating and India is playing a very big role.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi meeting the President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee on the occasion of his ceremonial departure for the State visit to Palestine, Jordan and Israel, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on October 10, 2015
.

The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee being received by the HM King Abdullah of Jordan at the Ceremonial Reception, at Al Husseinieh Palace, in Amman, Jordan on October 10, 2015.

The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee inspecting the Guard of Honour, at the Ceremonial Reception, at Al Husseinieh Palace, in Amman, Jordan on October 10, 2015.

The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee with the HM King Abdullah of Jordan at the restricted meeting, at Al Husseinieh Palace, in Amman, Jordan on October 10, 2015.

The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee with the HM King Abdullah of Jordan at the restricted meeting, at Al Husseinieh Palace, in Amman, Jordan on October 10, 2015.

The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee at the delegation level talks with the HM King Abdullah of Jordan, at Al Husseinieh Palace, in Amman, Jordan on October 10, 2015.

The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee and the HM King Abdullah of Jordan at the Remote inauguration of JIFFCO Plant, at Al Husseinieh Palace, in Amman, Jordan on October 10, 2015.

The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee and the HM King Abdullah of Jordan at the Remote inauguration of JIFFCO Plant, at Al Husseinieh Palace, in Amman, Jordan on October 10, 2015.

President Mukherjee in landmark visit to Jordan | Zee News
Last Updated: Saturday, October 10, 2015 - 20:14

Amman: President Pranab Mukherjee arrived here on Saturday in what he termed a landmark visit to push ties with Jordan. It is the first visit by an Indian head of state to this Hashemite kingdom.

The president immediately got down to business upon landing here on board a special Air India flight, following which he was accorded a ceremonial welcome, a guard of honour and 21-gun salute in the forecourt of the presidential office.

He then held talks with his host King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein and then jointly inaugurated a $860-million Indo-Jordanian fertiliser plant for making raw materials, notably for sulphuric acid- and phosphoric acid-based nutrients.

Ahead of the touchdown, the president said he looked forward to the "historic visit".

"Both our countries share similar views on regional and international issues and both of us support the peace process in the Middle East, including Syria."

He said the two countries abhor extremism and terrorism in all forms, and believed in religious harmony.

The focus on trade and investment was also evident. The president said both countries will work towards increasing bilateral trade to $5 billion per annum, from around $2 billion now.

Officials said the project inaugurated by President Mukherjee will go a long way in achieving that, since the plan is for India to import 300 million tonnes of phosphoric acid from this plant annually.

Mukherjee said he also held Jordan as a gateway to this part of the world, thanks to its location and a very conducive investment atmosphere.

India and Jordan signed the first bilateral agreement for cooperation in 1947. It was formalised in 1950 when full diplomatic ties were established.

While King Abdullah and Queen Rania visited India in October 2012, at the head of state level, the last visit from the Indian side -- prior to President Mukherjee's visit -- was by prime minister Rajiv Gandhi nearly 30 years ago.

Mukherjee is on a six-day, three-nation visit which will take him next to Palestine and Israel.

IANS

Palestine welcomes 'historic visit' by President Mukherjee | Zee News

New Delhi: Palestine has welcomed the upcoming visit of India's President Pranab Mukherjee to that country on October 12-13, and termed it "historic".

Mukherjee will pay the first ever state visit to Palestine at the invitation of Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas.

"The people and the leadership of Palestine welcome this historic visit of the president of India and his accompanying high-level delegation to the holy land as a guest and a close friend of Palestine," said an official statement from the Palestine embassy here.

"This visit comes within the excellent relation that exists among our countries and to strengthen and develop cooperation between us at all levels," the statement said.

"Palestine is looking forward to India's sincere efforts, all forms of support to enable us build our Palestinian independent state; and achievement of the just, comprehensive peace, security, and stability in the region on the principle of the two-state solution," the statement said.

IANS

 

[Hindustani78]

President's Secretariat
11-October, 2015 14:25 IST
India considers Jordan to be an oasis of peace and progress in the region,says President Mukherjee


The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee attended a reception hosted by Shri Anil Trigunayat, Ambassador of India to Jordan for Indian Community and Jordanian friends of India yesterday (October 10, 2015)in Amman, Jordan.

Addressing the gathering, the President said India considers Jordan to be an oasis of peace and progress in the Middle East Region. India lauds the progressive policies of the King of Jordan and deeply appreciates his humanity in offering refuge to almost one and a half million innocent men, women and children who have been displaced from their homes by the ravages of war. India appreciates his efforts and tireless endeavours within this region and beyond to inculcate tolerance and understanding amongst communities. We believe that it is urgent and imperative for all sides to give up sectarian violence and hatred and, instead, embrace tolerance, humanity and harmonious coexistence.

***

 

[Mirza Jatt]

I hope no such drama happens when Modi visits Israel. Israel's help during Kargil cant be forgotten.

 

[Hindustani78]

President inaugurates Mahatma Gandhi Street in Amman | Zee News
Last Updated: Sunday, October 11, 2015 - 15:28

Amman: President Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday inaugurated a street in the capital city of Jordan named after Mahatma Gandhi.

A part of the Saddzagloul Street has been named the Mahatma Gandhi Street which after two intersections retains its old name which honours the Egyptian movement leader.

Mayor of Amman Aqel bel Tagi at a ceremony said that the street was specially chosen to be named after the Indian leader because "it connects the history of struggle for peace" in India and this part of the world.

"This street in particular was chosen because it meets with a royal family member, the brother of his Majesty the King, and it goes straight to meet with the leader of a peaceful revolution as well, Saddzagloul, who was also active during the period when Mahatma Gandhi was active," bel Tagi said.

The late King Abdullah I also struggled in a peaceful manner to gain independence from Imperial rule in 1946, a year before India. This reflects the similarities and synergies between us, the Mayor noted.

"We wanted to symbolise that Mahatma Gandhi is not only in the hearts of our city but also connects to the history of struggle for peace," he added.

The City Council also presented Mukherjee with the golden key of Amman commemorating his historic visit, which the Mayor described as a "manifestation of friendship and strong ties between the two capitals Amman and Delhi and the people of India and Jordan".

The President expressed his country's sincere appreciation on the gesture emphasising on the strong bonding between the two countries.

"The renaming of the street, as you correctly pointed out, connects the history of the freedom struggle of people under subjugation and also reflects the advancement of human civilisation in a city which is the cradle of civilisation," Mukherjee said.

The President also planted an olive tree in the Peace Park here.

PTI

 

[Hindustani78]

India offers $100 m credit to Jordan

India on Saturday offered a $100 million Line of Credit to Jordan as President Pranab Mukherjee began his first trip to the troubled West Asia region seeking greater trade relations with the Heshmite Kingdom.

Arriving at the Queen Alia airport here in the afternoon and driving straight to the Presidential Palace, ‘Al Husseinieh’, the President held talks with King Abdulla-II and other top leadership of Jordan where he also raised the issue of long-term supplies of phosphate so as to help New Delhi ensure food security in the country. The talks were held after a colourful ceremonial welcome at the presidential palace.

As the King and Jordanian Prime Minister Dr Abdullah Ensour talked about the positive investment climate in their country, the President announced the Line of Credit to Jordan, with whom New Delhi had initiated diplomatic relationship 65 years ago.

“The projects under the Line of Credit will be identified later,” Anil Wadhwa, Secretary (East) in Ministry of External Affairs, told reporters after the President's restricted meeting with the King and delegation level talks here.

Line of Credit is an arrangement between a financial institution, usually a bank, and a customer that establishes a maximum loan balance that the bank will permit the borrower to maintain.

As both Mukherjee and the King inaugurated Jordan India Fertiliser Company, a joint venture of IFFCO and Jordan Phosphate Mines Company, located in Eshidiya at the Palace, King Abdullah assured India that he would ask his officials to work out long-term supplies of phosphate.

“The President talked about the food security needs of the country and how it is a constant challenge to reduce it. It is in this context that he spoke about the enhanced supply of fertilisers,” Venu Rajamony, the President’s Press Secretary said.

At the meeting, the IFFCO announced 1 lakh Jordanian Dinar (approx USD 70,000) to the trust run by Queen of Jordan Raina for social projects.

Apart from measures in trade and commerce, India also announced increasing the number of scholarships for Jordanian students to pursue higher education in India to 50.
With Jordan offering a favourable climate for Indian businesses, questions were raised whether the trouble in the region would attract businessmen from back home.
Indian officials maintained that there is nothing to worry as several Indian groups are talking to the Jordan government.


Tata Group is arriving in Amman on October 12 to hold discussions while Mahindra and Mahindra is also looking for business opportunities in the country.