Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his two-day visit to Jordan on Tuesday after holding extensive talks with King Abdullah II and addressing a high-profile business forum that brought together industry leaders from both nations. The visit, which marks India’s first full bilateral engagement with Jordan and comes as the two countries prepare to celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations, saw the finalization of multiple agreements and a shared vision for enhanced economic cooperation.
During delegation-level talks at the Al Husseiniya Palace on Monday, Prime Minister Modi and King Abdullah II discussed expanding cooperation across trade, industry, digital technology, fertilizers, infrastructure, agriculture, energy and people-to-people exchanges. King Abdullah II welcomed the visit as a reflection of decades of friendship, mutual respect and productive cooperation, highlighting opportunities for economic collaboration in areas such as industry, information and communications technology, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and energy.
Prime Minister Modi praised Jordan’s firm stance against terrorism, extremism and radicalization, stating that Amman and New Delhi share a common position on countering terrorism. He lauded King Abdullah II’s leadership in promoting moderation, recalling their first meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations in 2015. The king conveyed strong support for India’s fight against terrorism and condemned terrorism in all its forms.
The leaders discussed ways to deepen engagement in trade and investment, defence and security, renewable energy, fertilizers and agriculture, digital technologies, critical minerals, infrastructure, health and pharmaceuticals, education, tourism, heritage and culture. Noting India as Jordan’s third-largest trading partner, Prime Minister Modi proposed enhancing bilateral trade to $5 billion over the next five years and encouraged collaboration between Jordan’s digital payment system and India’s Unified Payments Interface. Both sides also discussed investments in fertilizer production to meet India’s growing demand, with Jordan being an important supplier of phosphates to India.
The leaders exchanged views on regional and global developments, emphasizing the importance of peace and stability in West Asia. Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed India’s support for efforts to achieve durable peace in the region. Five memoranda of understanding were finalized covering culture, renewable energy, water management, digital public infrastructure and a twinning arrangement between the historic sites of Petra and Ellora.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Modi and King Abdullah II jointly addressed the India-Jordan business forum in Amman, which was also attended by Crown Prince Hussein and Jordan’s minister of trade and industry and minister of investment. Both leaders called upon industry captains from both sides to convert potential and opportunities into growth and prosperity. King Abdullah II noted that “Jordan’s free trade agreements and India’s economic power could be combined to create an economic corridor between South Asia and West Asia and beyond.”
Addressing the forum, Prime Minister Modi stated that “Jordan and India share a vibrant contemporary partnership, built on the strong edifice of their close civilizational ties.” He appreciated King Abdullah II’s leadership, saying Jordan has become a bridge that connects markets and regions, and is fostering business and growth.” PM Modi proposed doubling bilateral trade with Jordan to $5 billion over the next five years, highlighting India’s success as the fastest-growing major economy on course to become the third-largest economy in the world.
The prime minister invited Jordanian companies to partner with India and benefit from its 1.4 billion consumer market, strong manufacturing base, and stable policy environment. He suggested both countries could join hands to become trusted supply chain partners for the world, attributing India’s economic growth of over 8 percent to productivity-driven governance and innovation-driven policies.
The Prime Minister also highlighted opportunities for business collaboration in digital public infrastructure, information technology, fintech, health-tech and agri-tech, inviting startups from both nations to cooperate. He noted that India’s strength in pharma and medical devices sectors and Jordan’s geographical advantage could complement each other and make Jordan a reliable hub for West Asia and Africa in these fields. He also identified business opportunities in agriculture, cold chain, food parks, fertilizers, infrastructure, automobile, green mobility, heritage and cultural tourism, renewable energy, green financing, desalination and water recycling.
The forum witnessed participation from business leaders in infrastructure, health, pharmaceuticals, fertilizer, agriculture, renewable energy, textile, logistics, automobile, energy, defense and manufacturing sectors. The delegation included representatives of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Jordan Chamber of Commerce, which have an existing memorandum of understanding to promote trade and economic cooperation.
This marks Prime Minister Modi’s first full bilateral visit to Jordan, having previously transited through the country in February 2018 en route to Palestine. He arrived in Amman on Monday afternoon at the start of a three-nation tour that includes Ethiopia and Oman, highlighting India’s sustained engagement with West Asia and Africa.
