India, Jordan focus on eight-point roadmap, sign key MoUs to deepen bilateral ties

India and Jordan on Monday significantly strengthened their bilateral relationship by signing a series of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) covering a wide range of sectors, including renewable energy, water resources, digital transformation, and cultural cooperation. The agreements were finalised during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day official visit to Jordan, reflecting growing cooperation between the two countries across strategic, economic, and people-centric areas.

According to a list of outcomes released by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the MoUs include technical cooperation in new and renewable energy, collaboration in water resource management and development, a twinning agreement between the heritage sites of Petra and Ellora, the renewal of the Cultural Exchange Programme for the period 2025–2029, and a letter of intent on sharing population-scale digital solutions to support Jordan’s digital transformation efforts.

In an important diplomatic development, Jordan expressed its intention to join several major Indian-led global initiatives, including the International Solar Alliance (ISA), the Global Biofuel Alliance, and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI). These initiatives aim to promote clean energy, sustainable fuel alternatives, and climate-resilient infrastructure worldwide.

India, in turn, announced its support for the India–Jordan Centre of Excellence at Al Hussein Technical University in Amman. As part of this initiative, India will assist in training 10 Master Trainers over a three-year period, focusing on skill development and capacity building in advanced technologies and technical education.

The MoUs were signed following delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and King Abdullah II of Jordan, during which both leaders discussed ways to expand cooperation in several key areas. Describing the discussions as “productive”, PM Modi said that he had shared an eight-point vision to further strengthen the India–Jordan partnership.

The eight-point roadmap focuses on collaboration in trade and economy, fertilisers and agriculture, information technology, healthcare, infrastructure development, critical and strategic minerals, civil nuclear cooperation, and people-to-people ties. The leaders agreed that closer cooperation in these sectors would benefit both nations and contribute to regional and global stability.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi shared photographs from his meeting with King Abdullah II on the social media platform X, underlining the importance of the visit and the warmth of bilateral relations.

In his post, the Prime Minister wrote, “Held productive discussions with His Majesty King Abdullah II in Amman. His personal commitment towards vibrant India-Jordan relations is noteworthy. This year, we are celebrating the 75th anniversary of our bilateral diplomatic relations. This milestone will continue to inspire us to move forward with renewed energy in the times ahead.”

PM Modi emphasised that the longstanding friendship between India and Jordan has been built on mutual respect, shared values, and close cooperation, and that the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations serves as a reminder of the strength and continuity of this partnership.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also shared the list of outcomes from the talks on X. Prime Minister Modi acknowledged the post and welcomed the agreements, describing them as a “meaningful expansion” of bilateral ties.

Reacting to the developments, PM Modi said, “These outcomes mark a meaningful expansion of the India-Jordan partnership. Our cooperation in new and renewable energy reflects a shared commitment to clean growth, energy security and climate responsibility. The Twinning Agreement between Petra and Ellora opens new avenues for heritage conservation, tourism and academic exchanges. Sharing our digital innovations will support Jordan’s digital transformation and promote inclusive governance.”

The Prime Minister highlighted that cooperation in renewable energy aligns with both countries’ goals of addressing climate change and ensuring long-term energy security. He also noted that India’s digital public infrastructure experience can help Jordan improve governance and service delivery.

One of the notable agreements signed during the visit is the twinning arrangement between Petra in Jordan and Ellora in India, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This partnership is expected to promote heritage conservation, boost tourism, and encourage academic and cultural exchanges between experts, institutions, and students from both countries.

The renewal of the Cultural Exchange Programme for 2025–2029 will further strengthen people-to-people ties by promoting cooperation in art, culture, education, and academic research.

Following the formal talks and signing of agreements, King Abdullah II hosted a banquet dinner in honour of Prime Minister Modi. The gesture reflected the warmth, mutual respect, and friendly nature of the India–Jordan relationship.

Jordan marks the first stop of Prime Minister Modi’s three-nation tour. From Amman, he will travel to Ethiopia at the invitation of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali for his first official visit to the African nation. The tour will conclude in Oman, further underlining India’s expanding diplomatic engagement in West Asia and Africa. The visit to Jordan highlights India’s focus on strengthening partnerships in the region through cooperation in clean energy, technology, culture, and development, while reinforcing shared commitments to global initiatives and sustainable growth.