In a landmark diplomatic engagement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held extensive delegation-level talks with Jordan's King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein at the Husseiniya Palace in Amman on Monday. This visit marks the first bilateral prime ministerial trip from India to Jordan in 37 years, coinciding with the celebration of 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Strengthening Strategic Partnership & Regional Stability
The discussions between the two leaders were comprehensive, focusing on enhancing bilateral relations, addressing pressing regional issues, and reinforcing joint counter-terrorism efforts. A significant portion of the dialogue was dedicated to the situation in Gaza, with PM Modi acknowledging Jordan's proactive role. He commended King Abdullah II for sending a strong and strategic message against terrorism, extremism, and radicalisation.
PM Modi reflected on their long-standing partnership on promoting moderation, recalling their first meeting on the sidelines of the UN in 2015 at an event on countering violent extremism, and the King's subsequent visit to India in 2018. "Your efforts to promote moderation are extremely important not only for regional peace but also for global peace. We will continue to move forward concretely in this direction together," the Prime Minister stated.
New Agreements & Economic Horizons
The meeting paved the way for the signing of new agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), which were warmly welcomed by King Abdullah II. He emphasised that these pacts would open new avenues for collaboration and looked forward to the Jordan-India Business Forum as a platform to boost business-to-business partnerships and joint investments.
The King highlighted the existing strong partnership and shared desire for prosperity, noting that collaboration has expanded across multiple sectors. "Your visit today provides an important opportunity to chart new paths of economic cooperation across industry, ICT, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, energy, and many more promising fields," King Abdullah II stated.
PM Modi's 8-Point Vision for Future Cooperation
Outlining a concrete roadmap for the future, Prime Minister Modi shared an eight-point vision to deepen India-Jordan relations. The key areas of focus include:
- Commercial and economic cooperation
- Fertilisers and agriculture
- Information technology
- Healthcare
- Infrastructure
- Vital and strategic minerals
- Civil nuclear cooperation
- People-to-people relations
This plan aims to systematically expand collaboration, reflecting a mutual commitment to enhanced partnership and growth.
Warm Welcomes and Enduring Bonds
Upon his arrival, PM Modi was received at the airport by Jordanian Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, who termed India a "valued guest." Later, the Prime Minister met with members of the Indian community in Jordan, which numbers over 17,500 people working in textiles, construction, and manufacturing. He expressed being deeply touched by their warmth and acknowledged their role in strengthening bilateral relations.
The economic foundation between the two countries is robust, with India standing as Jordan's third-largest trading partner. Bilateral trade has reached USD 2.8 billion, and Jordan is a major supplier of phosphates and potash fertilisers to India. This visit to Jordan is the first leg of PM Modi's four-day, three-nation tour, setting a positive tone for further diplomatic and economic engagement.
