India concerned over instability in Middle East: President

Describing terrorism as the "biggest threat", President Pranab Mukherjee has said India is concerned about the effects of instability in the Middle East, leading to rising terrorist activities around the globe.

"We are concerned about the spillover effects of instability in the region resulting in increased terrorist activities across the world, including in South Asia," Mukherjee said in an interview to The Jordan Times published on Thursday ahead of his visit to Jordan, Palestine and Israel from October 10 to 15.

Mukherjee said the reality of global expansion of terrorism, including in Syria and Iraq, and globalization of the supply chain of terrorism was a matter of great concern.

Noting India has faced terrorism for almost four decades, largely sponsored from across the border, he said the country has sought to challenge and repudiate the terrorist narrative that global counter-terrorism efforts were directed against any particular religion or ethnic group.

He said India was convinced that terrorism could be rolled back only through comprehensive, coordinated international cooperation combined with a strengthened, enforceable international legal regime.

Mukherjee said India and Jordan shared 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, he said.

Given the commonality of security concerns of both the countries, the president said India looked forward to further strengthening cooperation in the area of security and counter- terrorism.

Mukherjee said he was convinced that terrorism was the biggest threat confronting the world and countries like India and Jordan must cooperate in the fight against terrorism.

Meanwhile, he said there would be several agreement and MoUs in various fields which would be signed during his visit to Jordan.

He said efforts would be made to reach trade target of $5 billion from the current $2 billion dollar with Jordan by 2025.