President Pranab Mukherjee President Pranab Mukherjee

On the second day of his trip to Jordan, President Pranab Mukherjee discussed terror-related issues, especially the situation in Syria, with Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour. The two countries resolved that the Geneva 1 consensus that envisaged a role for both the Assad regime and opposition leaders in Syria towards a transitional government was the only way to resolve the crisis in the country.

In his speech at the University of Jordan, where he was conferred an honorary doctorate in political science, Mukherjee again said “inclusive political dialogue” was the only way towards peace in Syria. On Iraq, his statement that India is “committed to non-interference in internal affairs of other countries”, drew an applause.

His statement, quoting Mahatma Gandhi, that “Palestine belongs to the Arabs in the same sense that England belongs to the English and France to the French”, was also much appreciated.

During the talks, India and Jordan said an understanding was needed to fight terror on all fronts, and it was not enough to talk about a few groups.

Officials said India saw Russian intervention in Syria as directed towards controlling the Islamic State.

Syria Overcast

Syria is top of the mind in Amman. An Indian immigrant from Chandigarh settled in the Jordanian capital talks about the number of Syrian refugees multiplying. A banker of mixed British-Jordanian origin at King Abdullah II’s banquet for President Pranab Mukherjee says he doesn’t foresee the situation changing in Syria and neighbouring war-torn countries for the next 10 years. Sister Maria of the Salesian Sisters who lived in Syria for 17 years, “till the war got too much”, laments at what has befallen the Bashar Assad regime. “Assad is a good man,” she says, “and the world was hypnotised against him… If his people were not with him, do you think he could have stayed?” The only crowd you see in the empty streets of Jordan, where the sun is harsh even in mild 22 degrees C, are outside the Syrian Embassy. In his speech at the Indian Embassy dinner hosted for the Indian community, President Pranab Mukherjee praises Jordan’s “great humanitarian effort” in taking in 1.4 million refugees.

Changed Home

Sister Maria, part of a group of Indian nurses working in Amman, says there is a lot of dismay among the Indian community here at “events back home”. The Holy Auxilium School that was attacked in New Delhi is affiliated to the Salesian Sisters, and Sister Maria says it appears from here that “such a great country”, “that is doing so well”, is going back to primitive times. “We all lived in peace. Our orders were loved for helping spread education and medicine. We get so much respect here, even in Muslim countries still. We can walk around safely till late in the night. But it has all changed back home.”

Gandhi Street

The inauguration of the Mahatma Gandhi street by the President is an example of a small country’s dexterity. Till 10 minutes before the arrival of the President, traffic is going down the street lined with stone mansions. In between the speeding cars, a thin red carpet is laid out covering a narrow strip of road. As songs such as Saare Jahan Se Achcha, Vande Mataram and Hum Hindustani are played, only a few Jordanians stop to see what is happening. However, Isra, an English Literature student volunteering for the Indian embassy, says Gandhi himself is a well-known figure in Jordan.

Bollywood Bond

Zayed Abdullah, a 23-year-old student of civil engineering at Isra university, confirms the popularity of Bollywood in Jordan. Among the Khans they know are Shah Rukh and Salman, while Kareena Kapoor’s name rushes out with enthusiasm. Amitabh Bachchan remains popular. And why not? As per Abdullah, the fans of Bollywood range from the youth to those in their 80s. Shalini Langer

📣 The Indian Express is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@indianexpress) and stay updated with the latest headlines

For all the latest India News, download Indian Express App.