India, Jordan expand strategic cooperation during Modi’s Amman visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday highlighted the substantive outcomes of his visit to Jordan, noting a “meaningful expansion” of cooperation between the two countries across sectors such as clean energy, water management, culture and digital innovation.

Modi arrived in Amman on Monday on a two-day visit at the invitation of King Abdullah II , marking his first full-fledged bilateral visit to Jordan and coinciding with 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations. Jordan is the first leg of the Prime Minister’s four-day, three-nation tour.

During the visit, India and Jordan inked multiple MoUs covering renewable energy, water resources management, culture, digital public infrastructure, and a twinning agreement between Petra and Ellora , aimed at deepening bilateral ties. In a series of social media posts, Modi said cooperation in new and renewable energy reflects a shared commitment to clean growth and climate responsibility, while collaboration in water management would help both sides exchange best practices to ensure long-term water security.

Highlighting cultural engagement, the Prime Minister said the Petra-Ellora twinning arrangement would open new avenues for heritage conservation, tourism and academic exchanges. He also noted that the renewal of the Cultural Exchange Programme (2025-2029) would further strengthen people-to-people ties. Sharing India’s digital innovations with Jordan, he added, would support the kingdom’s digital transformation and promote inclusive governance.

At a press briefing on Tuesday, MEA Secretary (South) Neena Malhotra said King Abdullah II conveyed strong support for India’s fight against terrorism and condemned terrorism in all its forms, while the Prime Minister commended the King’s leadership in deradicalisation efforts.

India and Jordan maintain strong economic ties, with New Delhi being Amman’s third-largest trading partner. Bilateral trade stands at USD 2.8 billion , with Jordan a key supplier of phosphates and potash to India. The Arab nation also hosts an Indian diaspora of over 17,500 people.

From Jordan, Modi will travel to Ethiopia before heading to Oman, the Middle East leg of his tour. In Oman, discussions are expected to focus on energy cooperation, trade and investment, maritime security, and strengthening ties with the Indian diaspora, as New Delhi seeks to deepen its strategic and economic engagement in the region.