Jordan and India - Charting a stronger strategic future

Relations are at an all-time high, built on decades of friendship, mutual respect, and shared views.

As Jordan and India continue to deepen their strategic partnership, cooperation between the two nations is expanding across trade, investment, technology, energy, education, and regional security. With bilateral trade steadily growing and new opportunities emerging in high-value sectors, both countries are looking to build a more comprehensive and future-oriented relationship.

In this exclusive interview, Dr. Waiel Awwad speaks with the Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, HE Yousef Abdelghani, about the current state of Jordan–India relations, prospects for economic cooperation, regional developments, and a shared vision to elevate bilateral trade to US$5 billion by 2030 while promoting stability, sustainable development, and stronger global partnerships.

Jordan–India Relations Enter a New Era of Strategic Partnership: An Exclusive Conversation with the Ambassador of Jordan HE Yousef Abdelghani and Dr Waiel Awwad.

How would you describe the current state of Jordan–India relations?

Jordan and India enjoy exceptionally warm and friendly relations that are today stronger than ever before. Our partnership is rooted in decades of mutual respect, historical goodwill, and regular high-level engagement between our leadership. We share common perspectives on many regional and international issues and continue to deepen cooperation across political, economic, cultural, and security domains.

India has emerged as one of Jordan’s most important economic partners, while Jordan serves as a trusted and reliable partner for India in the Middle East. Together, we support moderation, multilateralism, dialogue, and a reformed international rules-based order that reflects contemporary global realities.

What are the key priorities for enhancing bilateral cooperation in the coming years?

Our immediate priority is to diversify bilateral trade beyond traditional sectors such as fertilizers and chemicals. While these remain vital pillars of our economic relationship, both countries possess tremendous opportunities in advanced manufacturing, information technology, digital services, renewable energy, healthcare, and innovation.

We are also focused on strengthening supply-chain resilience. Jordan plays an important role in supporting India’s food security through phosphate and fertilizer exports, while India contributes significantly to Jordan’s industrial development and technological advancement.

Furthermore, cooperation in digital public infrastructure, financial technology, artificial intelligence, and renewable energy systems offers exciting avenues for future growth.

Which sectors offer the greatest potential for trade and investment between Jordan and India?

Several sectors stand out as particularly promising.

First, phosphates and fertilizers remain the cornerstone of our economic partnership. Joint ventures such as the Jordan India Fertilizer Company (JIFCO) demonstrate the success of our collaboration and can be further expanded to meet India’s growing agricultural requirements.

Second, information technology presents immense opportunities. India’s globally recognized technological expertise complements Jordan’s highly educated, multilingual, and technology-oriented youth population. Together, we can develop innovative fintech solutions, software products, and research initiatives.

Third, pharmaceuticals and healthcare represent another area of strong potential. Jordan possesses a robust export-oriented pharmaceutical sector, while India is a global leader in affordable pharmaceutical production. Joint ventures and contract manufacturing arrangements could benefit both countries significantly.

Textiles and garments also offer attractive prospects through Jordan’s industrial zones, while renewable energy and green hydrogen projects can leverage Jordan’s abundant solar and wind resources alongside Indian investment and technological capabilities.

How can Jordan serve as a gateway for Indian businesses seeking regional and global expansion?

Jordan offers Indian companies a unique strategic advantage. Through our extensive network of free trade agreements, businesses operating from Jordan enjoy preferential and duty-free access to major markets, including the United States, the European Union, and numerous Arab countries.

Our strategic location at the crossroads of Asia, Europe, and Africa, coupled with world-class infrastructure at the Port of Aqaba and specialized free zones, makes Jordan an ideal logistics and re-export hub.

Equally important is Jordan’s reputation for stability, security, and regulatory predictability. Investors can confidently establish regional operations in Jordan while serving a market of hundreds of millions of consumers across multiple continents.

What role can India play in promoting stability and development in the Middle East?

India is increasingly recognized as an important economic and diplomatic actor in the region. Its growing trade relationships, infrastructure investments, and technology partnerships contribute significantly to economic development and prosperity.

India’s ability to maintain constructive relations with all major regional stakeholders gives it a unique position to encourage dialogue and confidence-building. Jordan values India’s balanced diplomatic approach and its consistent support for peaceful solutions to regional challenges.

In addition, initiatives such as the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme continue to make valuable contributions to human resource development and capacity building across the region.

How does Jordan view India’s expanding strategic presence in the Arab world?

Jordan warmly welcomes India’s active and constructive engagement across the Arab world. India has developed a mature and independent approach to regional diplomacy, building strong partnerships with countries throughout the region while respecting national sovereignty and regional sensitivities.

We see India’s growing international stature as a positive force for multipolarity, economic cooperation, and conflict resolution. Greater Indian engagement contributes to regional stability and creates new opportunities for shared prosperity.

What is Jordan’s assessment of the current regional security environment?

The Middle East continues to face complex challenges that require urgent and coordinated international action. Jordan consistently advocates de-escalation, humanitarian assistance, ceasefires where needed, and sustainable political solutions to ongoing conflicts.

We remain firmly convinced that lasting peace in the region cannot be achieved without a just and comprehensive resolution of the Palestinian issue based on the two-state solution.

Jordan also continues to shoulder a significant humanitarian responsibility by hosting large refugee populations. Sustained international cooperation and burden-sharing remain essential to ensuring regional stability and human security.

How can Jordan and India strengthen cooperation in defence, cybersecurity, and counterterrorism?

Security cooperation represents an increasingly important pillar of our relationship.

Jordan has gained valuable experience in countering violent extremism and promoting moderation through initiatives such as the Aqaba Process. We believe there is considerable scope for sharing institutional best practices with India and enhancing cooperation against radicalization and terrorism.

Cybersecurity is another critical area. Both countries face evolving threats to financial systems, telecommunications networks, and government infrastructure. Developing joint cybersecurity frameworks, information-sharing mechanisms, and capacity-building initiatives would be highly beneficial.

We also see opportunities for expanded military exchanges, training programmes, defence industry collaboration, and joint tactical workshops between our armed forces.

What opportunities exist for educational and cultural exchanges between the two countries?

People-to-people connections are the foundation of any enduring partnership.

We would welcome greater numbers of Jordanian students pursuing higher education in India’s world-class universities and technology institutes. Expanded scholarship programmes, academic partnerships, and research collaboration can further strengthen these ties.

Tourism is another area of tremendous potential. Jordan’s remarkable heritage sites, including Petra and Wadi Rum, have much to offer India’s rapidly growing outbound tourism market.

Additionally, Jordan’s diverse landscapes provide attractive and cost-effective filming destinations for the Indian film industry. Increased collaboration in cinema, arts, and cultural exchanges can bring our societies even closer together.

What is your vision for Jordan–India relations by 2030?

Our vision is ambitious yet entirely achievable. We seek to elevate our relationship into a comprehensive strategic partnership supported by regular political dialogue, stronger economic institutions, and deeper people-to-people engagement.

By 2030, we aim to create fully integrated supply chains that combine Jordanian resources with Indian manufacturing and innovation capabilities. We also aspire to increase bilateral trade from the current level of approximately US$3 billion to US$5 billion.

Equally important, Jordan and India should work more closely within international forums to advance the interests of the Global South, promote sustainable development, support green transitions, and advocate for a more inclusive and representative international system.

The future of Jordan–India relations is exceptionally promising, and we are committed to translating that potential into tangible results for both our peoples.