PM Modi, Jordan King Abdullah II to address ‘Islamic Heritage: Promoting Understanding and Moderation’

New Delhi, March 1: Today Jordan King Abdullah II received ceremonial reception by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan. King Abdullah arrived in India on Wednesday early morning on his 3-day tour. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted saying “looking forward to meeting His Majesty King Abdullah II today. We will take part in a conference on ‘Islamic Heritage: Promoting Understanding and Moderation’ at 10:30 this morning in Delhi. After that, we shall be holding talks aimed at boosting India-Jordan relations.”

 

After receiving ceremonial welcome, Jordan King Abdullah II said that "I am on my second official visit to India and I am truly honoured to be here." Further Jordan King also paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhiji at Rajghat.

 

PM Modi and Jordan King Abdullah II will address ‘Islamic Heritage: Promoting Understanding and Moderation’ where King Abdullah II is expected to talk about Indian society and its multi-religious, multi-ethnic and multi-cultural diversity, and its experience in dealing with religious extremism.

Issues concerning Palestine and ways to deal with terrorism, radicalization and extremism are likely to figure prominently in the deliberations between the two leaders. PM Modi and Abdullah are also expected to hold a discussion on defence cooperation, a twinning agreement between archaeological sites in Agra and Petra (Jordan), establishment of a centre for excellence in Amman by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), and some agreements on health, culture and customs.

The visit of Jordanian king is considered to be of immense strategic importance for India-Jordan ties. Both sides are expected to ink a number of agreements to expand cooperation in other several key sectors including healthcare, IT besides looking forward to firm up a framework pact for defence and security cooperation.

In their talks, Modi and the king are also likely to explore ways of deepening trade ties. Twenty textile industries from India have invested around USD 300 million in Jordan.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had recently met him in Amman, during a transit stay on his way to Palestine earlier this month.

More than one million refugees live in Jordon and India is also one of the contributors of refugee welfare there.

The Jordanian king, who will be accompanied by a high-level business delegation, will also call on President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday and he will host a banquet for the visiting leader.