Jordan and India agreed on Friday that the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on Palestinian soil would help restore peace, security and stability in the region.

During a state dinner held by Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam in honor of Their Majesties King Abdullah and Queen Rania, the King said it is “vital that the Palestinian people receive justice, and soon.

"Events are at a critical stage, and the window of opportunity is small. That means moving forward, boldly and quickly, as outlined in the Arab Peace Initiative,” he said, adding that a settlement will have “a profound, positive impact on global as well as regional stability.”

Peace, stability and progress are important to India and Jordan, he added, citing both countries' contributions to international peacekeeping efforts.

“Indeed, it is a measure of our commitment that Jordan and India are among the top 10 contributors worldwide of UN peacekeeping troops,” King Abdullah said.

Jordan and India, both victims of terrorism, also share a deep understanding about the damage that extremism brings. The two countries must work together to defend their people from such dangers, and to protect global peace so that progress and opportunity can flourish, he said.

Jordan and India have more in common, King Abdullah said, adding that economic development and progress are an equally vital concern.

“I have been tremendously impressed these last few days to observe how much Indians and Jordanians have in common, in their positive and forward-looking approach. Our determined young people, our innovators and visionaries, in business and government, our compassionate civic leaders — these are the foundation of our economic and national success.”

The Indian president commended Jordan's efforts to help find a just and comprehensive solution for the Palestinian issue, saying that the international community must exert its utmost efforts to put an end to the suffering of the Palestinians

Abdul Kalam also thanked Jordan for its support during the first Gulf war in 1991 when the country opened its border crossing with Iraq for the passage of 150,000 Indians fleeing the war-torn country en route to India.

Also on Friday, the King held talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on bilateral ties and regional developments.

Jordan is keen on benefiting from the development experience of India, especially in the fields of alternative energy, IT, resources management and railways, King Abdullah said.

At the political level, the King urged India to utilize its good ties with both the Palestinians and the Israelis to revive the peace process.

Following the talks, Amman and New Delhi signed four agreements in agriculture, tourism, protection and promotion of investment, and a cultural exchange program.

King Abdullah, who arrived in New Delhi on Thursday for a three-day state visit along with Her Majesty Queen Rania, also met separately with Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and opposition leader Lal Krishna Advani.

On Thursday, the King addressed the Indian Council of World Affairs, calling for stepped-up global efforts to forge a rapprochement between the Palestinians and Israelis. He also met with Muslim leaders and held talks with businessmen.

Meanwhile, the King and the Queen discussed prospects of cooperation in the field of microfinance with the ruling United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi.

In an interview with Hindustan Times, published Friday, the King called for closer cooperation between the private sectors in Jordan and India.

He said his meeting with US President George W. Bush on the eve of his arrival in India and his talks earlier with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Maliki were steps towards a solution to the situation in Iraq, warning that the region will pay a heavy price if this conflict continues. “This conflict will spread beyond the borders of Iraq,” he said.

Jordan's major concern is the Israel-Palestine conflict, King Abdullah told the Indian daily, adding that time is running out.

“If we do not have movement towards a two-state solution within the next six months,” he said, “then I think there will be no peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians. And therefore, no peace between Arabs and Israelis,” the King said, stressing that the importance of the Palestine issue goes beyond the boundaries of the Middle East.