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India – Jordan Foreign Relations






India – Jordan Relations

India’s relationship with Jordan has always been characterized by warmth and goodwill based on mutual respect. First Bilateral Agreement for Cooperation and Friendly Relations was signed in 1947. Bilateral relations were formalized in 1950 when the two countries established full-fledged diplomatic ties. In 2015, the 65thAnniversary of diplomatic relations was celebrated with large scale cultural activities to enhance people to people exchanges. Recent high level exchanges include meeting between Hon’ble Prime Minister and HM King Abdullah in September 2015 and first ever Head of State level visit to Jordan by Hon’ble Rashtrapatiji in October 2015, EAM’s transit visit in January 2016, MoS for External Affairs (MJA)’s official visit in November 2016, visit of Chief of Royal Court to India in March 2017,visit of Jordanian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Mr. Ayman Safadi to India in December 2017. The recent visit of Hon’ble PM Shri. Narendra Modi to Amman in 09-10 February 2018, during his official visit to Palestine has given a boost to bilateral relations. HM King Abdullah visited India on a state visit from 28 February to 1 March 2018 and met with Hon’ble Rashtrapatiji.



The 10th India-Jordan Trade and Economic Joint Committee (TEJC) was held in New Delhi in July 2017. Foreign Office Consultations are being held on a regular basis and the second FOC was held in New Delhi in November 2016. Since November 2014, Government of India offers e-Tourist Visa facility to Jordan. To help Jordan in its capacity building efforts, 26 ITEC slots have been made available apart from 5 scholarship slots annually under ICCR. Our interaction with Jordan in multilateral fora, particularly under UN framework has fostered better understanding on mutual concerns and priorities. HM King Abdullah reassured of his full support to India’s candidature for the permanent seat at the expanded UNSC. Both sides also cooperate at other international fora.




Political Relations:

HM King Abdullah visited India on a state visit from 28 February to 1 March 2018. The King attended the CEO's Roundtable organised by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) in New Delhi. On 1 March 2018, PM Modi and King Abdullah addressed a conference ‘Islamic Heritage: Promoting Understanding & Moderation’ held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The two leaders also held delegation-level bilateral talks at Hyderabad House and witnessed the inking of 12 MoU/Agreements. Hon'ble Rashtrapatiji received King Abdullah at Rashtrapati Bhawan where the King was accorded Ceremonial Welcome. Hon’ble PM Shri. Narendra Modi transited Amman from 9- 10 February 2018, during his official visit to Palestine on 10 February 2018. PM was received by HM King Abdullah at his private residential palace on a Friday as an exceptional gesture. There was a ceremonial reception for PM followed by a brief bilateral meeting with the King.


Hon'ble Rashtrapatiji paid a State visit to Jordan from 10-12 October, 2015, which was the first ever at Head of State-level from India and met with HM King Abdullah. He inaugurated Mahatma Gandhi Road and planted & dedicated an Olive tree for world peace. Heads of both states remotely inaugurated the $860 million JIFCO Joint Venture. Six agreements/MoUs were signed in various fields of cooperation. In addition, 10 MOUs for Educational cooperation between the Indian Universities and Institutes and their Jordanian counterparts were signed. University of Jordan conferred an Honorary Doctorate on Rashtrapatiji. Earlier, on the sidelines of UNGA in September 2015, Hon’ble PM Shri. Modi met HM King Abdullah. The landmark State visit of Their Majesties King Abdullah and Queen Rania to India in December 2006 provided an excellent opportunity for exchanging views on all aspects of our bilateral relations. During the visit, a number of bilateral agreements were signed. Dr Fayez Al-Tarawneh, Chief of Royal Court (CRC) visited India from 7-10 March, 2017 at the invitation of MoS (MJA). During his visit to India, CRC called on the Rashtrapatiji, VP, PM, MoS (MJA) and NSA.

Jordanian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Mr. Ayman Safadi, visited India from 27-28 December 2017. A first ever Defence Ministry delegation led by Joint Secretary (PIC) Shri Shambhu S. Kumaran, visited Jordan from 06-07 January 2019 and held bilateral talks with high level Jordanian defence authorities and visited various defence establishments. Ambassador announced GOI’s recent decision to set up an India- Jordan Center of Excellence in Technology, which has been set up under a bilateral MoU signed during King Abdullah II’s visit to India in February 2018. In October 2014, our Mission in New York handed over a cheque amounting to US$500,000 to the UN in New York for the Emergency Response Fund for Jordan. In 2015 we paid the second tranche of USD 0.5 million directly to Jordan Government. In December 2016, Ambassador handed over a cheque of US$2 million of cash grant from GOI to the Government of Jordan towards humanitarian assistance.


NSA Shri. Ajit Doval visited Jordan on 19 January 2020 and had audience with HM King Abdullah II and Foreign Minister Mr. Ayman Al Safadi.





Commercial Relations:

India-Jordan trade is governed by the Agreement signed in 1976. A Trade and Economic Joint Committee (TEJC) was constituted under the Agreement to promote and monitor progress. Over the years, bilateral trade has grown rapidly despite global economic downturn. A successful cooperation in fertilizer sector between the two countries exists. A Joint venture project worth US$ 860 million between the Jordan Phosphate Mines Company (JPMC) and the Indian Farmers Fertilizers Cooperative (IFFCO) for manufacturing of Phosphoric Acid set up in Eshidiya was inaugurated by Hon'ble Rashtrapatiji and HM King Abdullah. The MMTC India Ltd inked an MOU with the JPMC on cooperation in the fertilizer sector in June, 2015. A commercial delegation headed by Chairman of Jordan Investment Commission visited Delhi and Mumbai from in May 2017. In January 2020, MMTC and Arab Potash Co. signed an MoU for the procurement of Potash. An IRCON delegation visited Jordan in January 2020 and held talks with the Secretary General of Tourism Ministry. Efforts are being made to enhance the bilateral trade to USD 5 bn by 2025-26. Both countries are cooperating in the fields of IT, Knowledge, logistics and infrastructre through our PSOs/reputed companies. India became the 4th largest trade partner of Jordan after Iraq, Saudi Arabia and China. 

Details of trade volume are tabulated below (values in US$ billion).


          [Source: Ministry of Commerce & Industry, GOI]



India imports fertilizers, phosphates, phosphoric acid etc. from Jordan and exports electrical machinery, cereals, frozen meat, organic and inorganic chemicals, animal fodders, engineering and automotive parts etc. Possibilities for joint ventures in the fields of leather, automobile, IT, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy (Solar) and construction sectors are being explored further. The newly constituted Investment Commission is actively pursuing investors from all across the world, including Indian investments in Jordan especially in ICT, Finance/Banking Services, Renewable energy (Solar) and Bio- medical services sectors. The 10th India-Jordan Trade & Economic Joint Committee (TEJC) was held in New Delhi from 4-5 July, 2017. Minister of Trade, Industry & Supply Mr.Yarub Al-Qudah led a high-level official and business delegation to India for the meeting. Minister of Commerce & Industry Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman led the Indian delegation. During the meeting, the two sides signed Economic and Trade Cooperation Agreement. India extended a US$ 100 million line of credit to promote Trade and Investment during Rashtrapatiji's State visit to India in October 2015. Hon'ble ICT Minister of Jordan led a high level business delegation to interact with leading ICT companies in Bengaluru in February 2018. Jordanian Energy Minister Mr. Saleh led a delegation to the International Energy Forum in April 2018 in New Delhi.



 Under Engineering Export Promotion Council of India’s umbrella, 31 Indian companies participated in the JIMEX-2018 from 09-12 April 2018. Sixty five Indian companies participated in the Arab Pharma Manufacturers’ Expo 2018 Exhibition held in Amman from 24-25 July, 2018. A business delegation from M/s. Adani Group called on PM
 Omar Razzaz on 16 September 2018 and met Ambassador in Embassy. Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development And Entrepreneurship, called on PM Razzaz on 21 April 2019 where they discussed means to enhance cooperation in several fields, especially in IT, skill development and entrepreneurship. An MEA-CDAC delegation visited Amman from
 24-25 July 2019 to oversee the setting up of the India-Jordan Next Generation Center of Excellence in IT in Jordan.




Cultural Relations:

There is immense interest in Jordan for Indian art & culture, especially Bollywood films. Jordan is keen to receive Bollywood and other Indian film producers to shoot films at their locations. There have been regular exchange of cultural troupes. Mission organised 150th Birth Anniversary celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi at various Universities of Jordan. Mission participated in the Annual Diplomatic Bazaar, the annual charity event and Birth Anniversary of Sardar Vallabhai Patelji, 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas, Hindi Diwas, National Voters Day and ICCR Foundation Day. Embassy of India and Jordan India Friendship Society jointly organized an annual Iftar event for around 100 kids from different orphan schools in Amman in May 2019. Mission celebrated the 4th International Day of Yoga on 21 June 2019. On the occasion of the 73rd Independence Day, Ambassador hoisted the National Flag at the Embassy premises in Amman on 15 August 2019, followed by the National Anthem and delivering Hon'ble Rashtrapatiji's Address to the Indian community. Embassy also celebrated the 71st Republic Day of India on 26 January 2020 at India House. Ambassador unfurled the tricolor followed by singing of National Anthem and read out the Hon’ble Rashtrapatiji’s address to the Nation.




Indian Community:

Jordan is home to 17,000 Indians approximately, who are employed in textile, construction & manufacturing sectors, fertilizer companies, health sector, universities, IT, financial companies and multilateral organisation. There are about 25 garment factories across Jordan [Qualified Industrial Zones (QIZs)] owned by Indians with an investment of over US$ 300 million and employing over 10,000 persons. In September 2016, in Association with the Embassy of India, Amman, India Tourism organized “Know India Seminar” for travel and trade. Local Indian community in Jordan celebrated festivals of Onam and Diwali with Ambassador as Chief Guest. Ambassador interacted with management and workers of Indian Garment Factories as part of Mission’s outreach activities towards Indian workers in Jordan.



Useful Resources:






10 February 2020
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Location: Delhi, India

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