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
  1. Renewable Energy Cooperation
  2. Water Resources Management & Development
  3. Petra–Ellora Twinning Agreement
  4. Cultural Exchange Programme (2025–2029)
  5. 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.