Context:

Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Jordan on 15–16 December 2025, where he held extensive discussions with King Abdullah II of Jordan. This marked his first full-fledged bilateral visit to Jordan and coincided with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

Outcomes of PM Modi’s Visit

• • Discussions focused on trade and investment, defence, renewable energy, information technology, agriculture, infrastructure, health, education, tourism, and culture.
  • The two leaders set a target of US$5 billion in bilateral trade within five years and explored the possibility of linking Jordan’s digital payment system with India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
  • Both sides reiterated their shared commitment to combating terrorism and working towards regional stability in West Asia.

MoUs Signed:

1.       Technical Cooperation in New and Renewable Energy

2.      Cooperation in Water Resources Management and Development

3.      Twinning Agreement between Petra and Ellora

4.     Renewal of the Cultural Exchange Programme (2025–2029)

5.     Letter of Intent on sharing digital solutions for population-scale transformation

India–Jordan Relations:

India and Jordan share warm and friendly diplomatic relations, anchored in decades of political goodwill, structured dialogues, and expanding economic cooperation. Established in 1950, bilateral relations have matured through regular high-level interactions, institutional mechanisms, and sector-specific collaboration.

High-Level Political Engagements:

• Past engagements include PM Modi’s transit visit to Jordan in 2018 and King Abdullah II’s state visit to India in 2018, which resulted in the signing of 12 MoUs/Agreements, the establishment of a C-DAC Centre of Excellence, and a US$5 million pharmaceutical assistance package to Jordan.

Trade and Economic Cooperation:

• • India is Jordan’s fourth-largest trading partner. In FY 2023–24, bilateral trade stood at US$2.875 billion.
  • India’s exports include cereals, frozen meat, petroleum products, and animal fodder, while Jordan supplies fertilisers, phosphates, and potash.

Key Initiatives:

o The Jordan India Fertiliser Company (JIFCO) produces phosphoric acid for India.
o Over 15 NRI-owned garment manufacturing units operate in Jordan’s Qualified Industrial Zones (QIZs).
o In 2025, tourism promotion events, trade seminars, and Indian company participation in the 3rd International Food & Food Technology Expo strengthened commercial engagement.

Defence Cooperation:

• An MoU on defence cooperation, signed in 2018, forms the basis of bilateral defence ties.
• Cooperation includes exchange of military delegations, training interactions, and joint participation in exhibitions such as SOFEX.

Science, Technology, and Education:

• The Indian–Jordan Centre of Excellence in IT (IJCOEIT) at Al-Hussein Technical University trains Jordanian professionals in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and big data analytics.
• India provides ITEC training slots, ICCR scholarships, and higher education opportunities for Jordanian students. More than 2,500 Jordanians have graduated from Indian institutions.

Cultural and People-to-People Ties:

• Cultural engagement includes Bollywood films, Indian dance and music performances, and regular International Day of Yoga celebrations.
• Visa facilitation measures and direct air connectivity have enhanced mobility. The Indian diaspora in Jordan, numbering over 17,500, contributes significantly to sectors such as textiles, healthcare, information technology, and education.

Conclusion:

Prime Minister Modi’s visit underscores how sustained political engagement can strengthen economic, strategic, and cultural cooperation. India–Jordan relations exemplify mutual trust, expanding trade integration, and strategic alignment, reinforcing Jordan’s role as a reliable West Asian partner in India’s broader regional outreach.