Jordan- India relations
This is a collection of articles archived for the excellence of their content. |
2018
Jordan King’s visit
February 27, 2018: The Times of India
HIGHLIGHTS
Known to be against Islamic extremism, King Abdullah could be of great help to India in counter-terror operations.
Jordan is also among the few Muslim majority countries having diplomatic ties with Israel, India’s strongest ally in middle-east.
Both sides are expected to ink a number of agreements to expand cooperation in several key sectors including health care, IT, customs etc.
King of Jordan Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein arrives in India for a three-day visit starting today. He will hold official talks with PM Narendra Modi. Defence, security and investments are going to be the key areas of discussion on the bilateral agenda. Here are 10 reasons why Abdullah’s visit holds a lot of significance from India’s point of view:
1. India is putting in significant diplomatic capital by engaging key Islamic countries on de-radicalisation. Known to be against Islamic extremism, King Abdullah could be of great help to India in counter-terror operations. Although on Kashmir issue, Jordan has held a very neutral position since 1970.
2. Being a leading voice on moderation in Islam, his special address on 'Promoting Understanding and Moderation', organised by India Islamic Center, in Delhi, could be of great importance to strengthen internal security in India.
3. From the perspective of defence cooperation, India and Jordan are currently in the process of negotiating a defence framework agreement. Abdullah’s visit is expected could fast track the exercise.
4. Jordan is not only a harbinger of stability in a volatile Palestine region but is also among the few Muslim majority countries having diplomatic ties with Israel, India’s strongest ally in middle-east.
5. With Abdullah’s support, India can deepen security ties with Jordan to leverage its unique strategic location in the Levant, with access to the Red Sea and the eastern Mediterranean.
6. Jordan also plays an important role in India's food security through provision of fertilisers and phosphates. Indian investors have taken advantage of Jordan's free trade agreements with the US and are trying to make it a hub of textile exports.
7. From technology point of view, King Abdullah will visit IIT Delhi to explore collaboration with Jordan technical institutes. The two sides are expected to sign MoUs for exchange of ideas.
8. He will also participate in a CEO Round-table followed by India-Jordan Business Forum jointly organized by FICCI, CII and ASSOCHAM.
9. Both sides are expected to ink a number of agreements to expand cooperation in several key sectors including health care, IT, customs etc.
10. Modi and the king are also likely to explore ways of deepening trade ties, which holds importance as twenty textile industries from India have invested around USD 300 million in Jordan.
India, Jordan ink 12 pacts to boost defence ties
India, Jordan ink 12 pacts to boost def ties, March 2, 2018: The Times of India
Both Nations Reiterate Their Support For Palestine Cause
India and Jordan on Thursday signed a framework defence agreement which envisages a whole range of possibilities from defence acquisitions by Jordan to defence exercises and closer security cooperation.
India and Jordan signed 12 agreements after the highlevel talks, covering areas as diverse as mass media, health, culture and tourism.
But the area of interest for both countries is clearly defence and security. King Abdullah, who is himself a trained para-trooper and a Sandhurst alumni, inspected the Indian-made Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) at Palam, and reviewed an anti-terrorism demonstration by NSG at Manesar.
During the discussions, both countries reiterated their support for the Palestine cause, officials said. India and Jordan started a cyber security dialogue in July 2017, and want to take it further.
Briefing journalists, secretary (ER) TS Tirumurti said, “This is a framework defence agreement, where several areas of cooperation are delineated. We are exploring different areas of cooperation. So while nothing specific was discussed, we are exploring possibilities.” He said while the King surveyed the ALH, there was no talk yet of any sale.
King Abdullah addressed the Indian industry on Wednesday and invited Indian companies to utilise Jordan as a gateway to Europe and the US, taking advantage of its free trade agreements with these vast markets. Sources said a number of Bto-B agreements were signed.
Jordan has already asked for assistance for its massive refugee population which include 1.3 billion Syrians, as well as Iraqis and Palestinians. Last year, India gave a cash donation of $2 million, but this year, it will be giving $5 million in vaccines and medicines to Jordan.
