PM MODI’S VISIT TO JORDAN
Why in News?
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Jordan on 15–16 December 2025 as part of a three-nation tour (Jordan, Ethiopia, Oman).
- This was his first full-fledged bilateral visit to Jordan.
- The visit coincided with the 75th anniversary of India–Jordan diplomatic relations.
- Five MoUs were signed to deepen cooperation.
ABOUT INDIA JORDAN RELATIONS
- India–Jordan relations are rooted in decades of diplomatic goodwill, mutual respect, and structured political dialogue.
- Diplomatic ties were established in 1950, building upon earlier cooperation agreements signed in 1947.
Over the years, the relationship has matured into a multi-sectoral partnership, covering:
- Trade and investment
- Defence and security
- Technology and digital cooperation
- Education and capacity building
- Culture and people-to-people ties
PM Modi’s 2025 visit gave fresh strategic and economic momentum to bilateral relations.
BACKGROUND
- Diplomatic relations formally established in 1950
- Year 2025 marks 75 years of diplomatic ties
- Relations characterised by:
- Regular leadership-level engagements
- Institutional mechanisms
- Growing economic interdependence.
HIGH LEVEL POLITICAL ENGAGEMENTS
Key Visits and Meetings
- PM Modi visited Jordan (in transit) in February 2018 en route to Palestine.
- King Abdullah II paid a State Visit to India (Feb–Mar 2018):
- Delegation-level talks
- CEO Roundtable
- Joint address on Islamic Heritage
- 12 MoUs/Agreements signed
- Announcement of:
- C-DAC Centre of Excellence in IT
- US$ 5 million in-kind assistance (pharma & vaccines)
Subsequent Leader Interactions
- UNGA, New York – September 2019
- Future Investment Initiative, Riyadh – October 2019
- COP-28, Dubai – December 2023
- G7 Summit, Italy – June 2024
SECURITY & CRISIS RELATED ENGAGEMENTS
- April 2025: King Abdullah II condemned the Pahalgam terror attack and reiterated support for India.
- October 2023: Telephonic talks on Gaza situation, terrorism, and civilian safety.
INSTITUTIONAL & DIPLOMATIC MECHANISMS
- 4th Foreign Office Consultations – Amman, 29 April 2025
- 2nd Joint Working Group on Health – Virtual, 2 September 2025
- Indian Pharmacopoeia
- Pharmaceuticals & vaccines
- Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission
- Non-Communicable Diseases
- Visit of Indian Secretary (South) – October 2025, further advancing cooperation.
TRADE & ECONOMIC COOPERATION
Trade Overview
- India is Jordan’s 3rd / 4th largest trading partner
- Bilateral trade (2023–24): US$ 2.875 billion
- India’s exports: US$ 1.465 billion
India Exports
- Cereals
- Petroleum products
- Frozen meat
- Animal fodder
India Imports
- Phosphates
- Potash fertilisers
Institutional Framework
- Trade & Economic Joint Committee (TEJC) under 1976 Trade Agreement
- Sector-specific and maritime cooperation mechanisms
KEY ECONOMIC & INVESTMENT INITIATIVES
- Jordan India Fertiliser Company (JIFCO):
- IFFCO + JPMC joint venture
- Investment: US$ 860 million
- Major supplier of phosphoric acid to India
- Indo-Jordan Chemical Company:
- Investment: US$ 169.5 million
- 2022–2025 Fertiliser Agreements:
- MoUs worth US$ 1.5 billion
- Arab Potash Company–IPL MoU for 275,000–325,000 tonnes annually
- Garment Manufacturing:
- 15+ Indian-owned units in QIZs
- Investment ~ US$ 500 million
- 2025 Trade Promotion Activities:
- Tourism promotion event (Feb 2025)
- Trade seminar with Jordanian Businessmen Association
- Indian participation in Food & Food Tech Expo, Amman.
DEFENCE & SECURITY COOPERATION
- MoU on Defence Cooperation (2018)
- Indian tri-services delegation attended SOFEX 2024
- Jordanian Royal Navy delegation visited:
- Southern Naval Command, Kochi
- Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala
- Shared commitment to:
- Counter-terrorism
- Regional stability
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY COOPERATION
- India–Jordan Centre of Excellence in IT (IJCoEIT):
- Located at Al-Hussein Technical University
- Inaugurated: October 2021
- Equipped with PARAM Shavak supercomputer
- Focus areas:
- Cyber security
- Machine learning
- Big data
- Web development
- Target: Train 3,000 Jordanian professionals
- Fully funded by Government of India
EDUCATION & PEOPLE TO PEOPLE TIES
- India is a preferred education destination for Jordanians
- ITEC slots: 50 annually
- ICCR scholarships available
- Over 2,500 Jordanians educated in India
- Indian diaspora in Jordan: ~17,500
- Visa facilities:
- Visa-on-Arrival (since 2009)
- e-Visa (since 2023)
- Direct flight: Amman–Mumbai
- Cooperation during evacuations (Operation Sindhu)
CULTURAL RELATIONS
- Strong interest in Indian culture and Bollywood
- Regular:
- Dance & music programmes
- International Yoga Day events
- July 2024:
- ICCR-sponsored Assamese folk dance troupe performed at Jerash Festival
OUTCOME OF PM MODI’S VISIT
- Ceremonial welcome in Amman
- Extensive discussions with King Abdullah II
- Agreement to:
- Raise bilateral trade to US$ 5 billion in 5 years
- Enhance cooperation in:
- Defence & security
- Renewable energy
- Fertilisers & agriculture
- Digital technologies & UPI linkage
- Health, pharma & education
- Tourism & heritage
- Strong condemnation of terrorism
- Shared views on regional peace and stability
MoUs SIGNED
- Renewable Energy Cooperation
- Water Resources Management & Development
- Petra–Ellora Twinning Agreement
- Cultural Exchange Programme (2025–2029)
- Letter of Intent on Digital Solutions & DPI.
CONCLUSION
India–Jordan relations reflect the strength of consistent diplomacy, strategic trust, and economic interdependence. PM Modi’s 2025 visit consolidated gains across trade, technology, defence, culture, and people-to-people ties. As India deepens its engagement with West Asia, Jordan remains a reliable political and economic partner, anchored in trust, shared interests, and long-term strategic alignment.
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