India and Jordan Relations are an important aspect of the formation of deep and trusted partnerships in West Asia. As part of his three-nation visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman (2025), Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a full-fledged bilateral visit to Jordan, marking a significant milestone in India–Jordan relations. Read here to learn more.
The Prime Minister held extensive discussions with His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan in Amman. This was the Prime Minister’s first standalone bilateral visit to Jordan and the first such visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 37 years.
The visit coincided with the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (1950-2025), underscoring the maturity and continuity of the bilateral partnership.
The signing of five Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and the articulation of a forward-looking agenda reflect the growing strategic, economic, and people-centric dimensions of India and Jordan relations.
Evolution of India and Jordan Relations
India and Jordan share warm and friendly relations rooted in mutual respect, shared concerns over regional stability, and long-standing diplomatic goodwill.
- Formal diplomatic ties were established in 1950, following an agreement on friendship and cooperation signed in 1947.
- Over the decades, the relationship has evolved from political goodwill into a multi-sectoral partnership, supported by structured dialogue mechanisms, leadership-level engagement, and expanding economic cooperation.
- High-level political trust has provided the foundation for collaboration in trade, defence, technology, education, and cultural exchanges.
High-Level Political Engagements
Political engagement has been a cornerstone of bilateral relations:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier visited Jordan in February 2018 while en route to Palestine.
- King Abdullah II paid a State Visit to India in 2018, during which:
- Delegation-level talks and a CEO Roundtable were held
- A joint address on “Islamic Heritage: Promoting Understanding & Moderation” took place
- 12 MoUs/Agreements were signed
- A C-DAC Centre of Excellence in IT was announced
- India extended US$5 million in-kind assistance for pharmaceuticals and vaccines
Subsequently, the two leaders met on several multilateral sidelines:
- G7 Summit (Apulia, Italy), 2024
- COP-28 (Dubai), 2023
- Future Investment Initiative (Riyadh), 2019
- 74th UN General Assembly (New York), 2019
Institutional diplomacy was strengthened in 2025 through:
- 4th Foreign Office Consultations (Amman, April 2025)
- 2nd Joint Working Group on Health (September 2025)
- Visit of India’s Secretary (South) to Jordan (October 2025)
India and Jordan Trade and Economic Cooperation
Economic engagement forms a central pillar of India and Jordan relations.
- India is Jordan’s third-largest trading partner
- Bilateral trade in FY 2023-24 reached US$2.875 billion
- India’s exports stood at US$1.465 billion
- The two countries aim to expand bilateral trade to US$5 billion over the next five years
Key Trade Characteristics:
- Indian exports: Cereals, frozen meat, petroleum products, animal fodder
- Indian imports: Phosphates and potash fertilisers
- Institutional support through the Trade and Economic Joint Committee (TEJC) under the 1976 Trade Agreement.
India and Jordan Fertiliser Cooperation
Jordan plays a critical role in India’s food security:
- Jordan India Fertiliser Company (JIFCO) – a joint venture between IFFCO and JPMC, valued at US$860 million, supplies phosphoric acid to India
- Indo-Jordan Chemical Company (JPMC-SPIC JV), with an investment of US$169.5 million
- US$1.5 billion fertiliser agreements (2022) between Jordanian and Indian companies
- Arab Potash Company-Indian Potash Limited MoU ensures supply of 275,000–325,000 tonnes annually
These partnerships underline Jordan’s role as a reliable supplier of critical agricultural inputs to India.
Investment, Manufacturing and Trade Promotion
- Over 15 NRI-owned garment units operate in Jordan’s Qualified Industrial Zones (QIZs)
- Cumulative investment of US$500 million
- Jordan–USA FTA enables export of garments to global markets
In 2025, economic diplomacy gained momentum through:
- Tourism promotion event (February 2025) highlighting Madhya Pradesh
- Announcement of direct flights between India and Jordan
- Trade promotion seminar with Jordanian Businessmen Association
- Participation of Indian firms in Food & Food Technology Expo, Amman (2025)
Defence and Security Cooperation
- MoU on Defence Cooperation (2018)
- Regular exchanges between armed forces
- SOFEX 2024 (Aqaba) attended by an Indian tri-services delegation
- Jordanian Royal Navy delegation visited Southern Naval Command, Kochi and Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala
Both countries strongly align on counter-terrorism, intelligence cooperation, and regional stability.
Science, Technology and Digital Cooperation
A flagship initiative is the India and Jordan Centre of Excellence in IT (IJCOEIT) at Al-Hussein Technical University:
- Inaugurated in October 2021
- Equipped with PARAM Shavak supercomputer
- Fully funded by the Government of India
- Focus areas: Cybersecurity, AI, Big Data, Web Development
- Target: Training 3,000 Jordanian professionals
During the 2025 Foreign Office Consultations, Indian officials visited the centre, reaffirming its strategic importance.
Education and Diaspora
India is a preferred education destination for Jordanian students
- 50 ITEC slots annually
- Over 2,500 Jordanians have studied in India
- ICCR scholarships and executive programmes are actively utilised
Indian Community in Jordan:
- Around 17,500 Indian nationals
- Employed in textiles, construction, healthcare, IT, academia, and UN agencies
- Visa-on-arrival (since 2009) and e-visa (since 2023) facilitate mobility
- Direct Amman-Mumbai flight
- Cooperation during evacuation under Operation Sindhu
Cultural Exchanges
Cultural ties remain vibrant:
- Strong popularity of Indian films and music
- Regular cultural troupes and International Yoga Day events
- Assamese folk-dance performance at the Jerash Festival 2024
- Petra-Ellora twinning agreement signed during PM’s visit enhances heritage diplomacy
MoUs Signed in 2025
- Renewable Energy Cooperation
- Water Resource Management
- Petra–Ellora Twinning Agreement
- Cultural Exchange Programme (2025–2029)
- Digital Solutions & Population-scale Platforms
Conclusion
India and Jordan relations exemplify how consistent political engagement, economic complementarity, and shared security concerns can create a resilient bilateral partnership. Jordan’s strategic location, reliability as a fertiliser supplier, and moderate regional outlook align well with India’s expanding engagement in West Asia.
The outcomes of Prime Minister Modi’s 2025 visit have injected fresh momentum into the relationship, setting clear economic targets and expanding cooperation into future-oriented domains such as digital governance and renewable energy. As India pursues a balanced and diversified West Asia policy, Jordan remains a trusted partner anchored in trust, trade, and strategic convergence.
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