Late King Hussein first visited India in 1963. The King again visited India in 1983 to attend the 7th Non-Aligned Summit. This was followed by a State Visit to India by the King in October 1986. In September 1997, Queen Noor led a 14-member Jordanian delegation to India to attend Mother Teresa’s funeral in Calcutta. She again visited India in November 1997 to inaugurate the Mahindra United World College at Pune.
Former Crown Prince Prince El Hassan Bin Talal has visited India on several occasions in 1976, 1979, 1982, 1984 (the last one to attend the funeral of Mrs. Indira Gandhi) and in 1988. At his initiative, an Indo-Jordan Conference was held in Amman in June 1989, which was attended by some leading Indian industrialists. He also visited New Delhi In February, 2005 and February, 2006.
Late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi visited Jordan in July 1988. During the visit, many decisions were taken to further consolidate and diversify the economic and industrial cooperation as well as cooperation in the field of science and technology. This led to the visits of several leading Indian scientists and technocrats like Dr. V.S. Arunachalam, Sam Pitroda and Dr. Kurien to Jordan.
The Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Louzi visited India in April 1997 to attend the 12th Ministerial Conference of NAM countries. Jordan’s Minister of Transport & Communications, Dr. Bassam Saket, visited India in October 1997.
There have also been several high level visits from India during the last over two decades. Vice-President Hidayatullah in 1983, Civil Aviation Minister Jagdish Tytler in 1987 to sign the Air Agreement, a Parliamentary delegation of Lok Sabha led by Speaker Rabi Ray in March 1990, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson Dr. Najma Heptullah in July 1990, and External Affairs Minister Shri I.K. Gujral during the Gulf Crisis in 1991(During the Gulf Crisis, around 150,000 Indian nationals from the region were evacuated through Jordan with full cooperation from Jordan).
Minister of Commerce, P. Chidambaram visited Amman in January 1992, MOS for External Affairs Eduardo Faleiro in August 1992, Minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism Ghulam Nabi Azad in February 1994 and October 1995, and Minister of Agriculture Balram Jakhar in June 1994.
MOS for External Affairs, Shri Salman Khurshid visited Jordan in October 1994 to attend the signing ceremony of the Jordanian-Israeli Peace Treaty, and MOS for External Affairs, Shri R.L. Bhatia, visited Amman in October 1995 to attend the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Economic Summit. Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers, Shri M. Arunachalam participated in the inauguration of the prestigious joint venture, Indo-Jordan Chemicals Co. Ltd., in July 1997. AS (IO) Shri Dilip Lahiri visited Amman in August 1998 to hold discussions on the agenda of the 12th NAM Summit at Durban and also delivered a letter from our Prime Minister to King Hussein.
Vice President Shri Krishan Kant represented India at the funeral of King Hussein in February 1999. The Vice President received an audience with King Abdullah who affirmed Jordan’s commitment to build on the ties of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
Lok Sabha Speaker G.M.C. Balayogi led a high level delegation to Amman in May 2000 to attend the 103rd Inter-Parliamentary Union Conference (IPU). Dr. Najma Heptullah, Deputy Chairperson of Rajya Sabha and President of the IPU, visited Amman in April-May to preside over the Conference. A three-member Indian delegation led by Tourism Secretary, Shri M.P. Bezbaruah, visited Amman in November 2000 to participate in the Global Summit on Peace Through Tourism.
Secretary (East) K.V. Rajan, accompanied by JS (WANA) visited Amman in December 2000 and held talks with Foreign Minister Khatib and Director (Asia) in the Foreign Office. The discussions focussed on bilateral relations and regional developments. Secretary (East) also chaired a meeting of the Indian HOMs in the region.
Foreign Minister of Jordan, Mr. Abdel Elah M. Khatib, visited India from 18-19 December 2000 and held discussions with EAM on Middle East peace process and situation in Iraq. During the visit, an MOU on Foreign Office Consultation was also signed.
Our former Prime Minister I.K. Gujral visited Amman in March 2001 to attend the International Crisis Group meeting. During the visit, he met Prince Hassan, Speaker of the Lower House of Parliament Abdulhadi Majali, Foreign Minister Khatib and former PM Abdel Karim Kabariti.
A Parliamentary delegation led by former MOS for External Affairs R.L. Bhatia visited Jordan, along with Egypt and Syria, in January 2002. The delegation was tasked with briefing the leadership in these countries with developments in the Indian sub continent following the attack on Indian Parliament. The delegation briefed Prince Faisal, the Regent and also called on the President of the Senate.
A parliamentary delegation from Jordan visited India in January 2003 to attend the 50th Anniversary Celebrations of Indian Parliament.
Secretary (ANA) R.M. Abhayankar visited Jordan in April 2003 for Foreign Office consultations and held discussions on bilateral and regional developments with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Shaher Bak and other senior officials. He also discussed Indo-Jordan cooperation in jointly setting up a field hospital in Iraq.
MOS for External Affairs Vinod Khanna and Secretary (ANA) R.M. Abhyankar were the official delegates at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Extraordinary Meeting in June 2003, also attended by a business delegation from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
An Indian medical team also arrived in Amman in June 2003 for further discussions on jointly setting up a field hospital in Iraq. The team then visited Iraq, along with a team of Royal Medical Services of Jordan, to identify location and scope of work in Iraq.
A three-member delegation led by MOS for External Affairs E. Ahamed including JS (WANA), visited Jordan from 16-18 June 2004. MOS called on the Regent, Prince Faisal and discussed bilateral relations and highlighted the policy of the new Congress-led Government to give a new thrust to India’s relations with Arab countries. The Minister also handed over an invitation from President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to King Abdullah to visit India at an early date.
MOS also met Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Industry & Trade Dr. Mohammad Halaiqa, in his capacity as the Acting Prime Minister of Jordan, Minister of Labour Amjad Majali, in his capacity as Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Jordan, and His Royal Highness Prince El Hassan bin Talal, who is the head of several well known think tanks including the Arab Thought Forum, the Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies.
Dr Arun Gandhi, the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, accompanied by a US peace and non-violence delegation to Jordan on August 22, 2004 also visited Palestine, in support of a project to replant one million trees uprooted from Palestinian lands by Israeli occupation troops. Dr Gandhi is the founder of the Gandhi Institute in 1991, which aims to promote the principles of non-violence through research, workshops, seminars, and community services.
Former Governor of UP and former Foreign Secretary Romesh Bhandari, visited Amman from 10-11 August 2004 to attend the meetings of the World Council of Religious Leaders.
Minister of Labour Amjad Majali paid an official visit to India from 27 September to 01 October, 2004 and called on his counterpart Shri Sis Ram Ola. Mr. Majali stressed the Kingdom's desire to benefit from Indian experience in the field of Labour, Vocational Training and Social Insurance.
Shri S Chandra, Member, Central Board of Excise & Customs and Ex-Officio Special Secretary to the Government of India, visited Jordan for attending the 52nd Session of the World Customs Organisation Policy Commission, held in Amman from 7-9 December 2004.
Mr. C. R. Gharekhan, Special Envoy of India for West Asia and the Middle East peace process, began his regional tour with Jordan from 19-21 February 2005. During the visit, he called on the Minister of Royal Court Samir Rifai, Foreign Minister Dr Hani Mulki, and His Royal Highness Prince Hassan of Jordan.
HRH Prince Hassan visited India in February, 2005 to attend the meetings in New Delhi of the Helsinki Citizen Process on Globalisation and Democracy, sponsored by the Finish and the Tanzanian governments. HRH Prince Hassan also called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Minister of Foreign Affairs Natwar Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi.
At the joint invitation from the Chairman of Rajya Sabha and Speaker of Lok Sabha, Jordanian parliamentary delegation led by Mr. Sami Khasawneh visited India from 19- 23 April, 2005 and called on President, Vice President, Lok Sabha Speaker, UPA Chairperson and MOS(EA).
Mr. Ghanshyam Tiwari, Minister of Education, Government of Rajasthan, and Mr. C.K. Mathew, Principal Secretary to the Government of Rajasthan, School & Sanskrit Education Department participated in the 5th JEI Jordan Education Initiative, Update Meet in Amman 17-18 May 2005. The Minister made a Statement on achievements of Rajasthan in the education sector and placed proposals on pilot projects in the education sector in Rajasthan for consideration of the Conference.
During the Credentials Ceremony on 02 June 2005, King Abdullah told the Ambassador that the bilateral ties between India and Jordan need to be strengthened. Ambassador called on King Abdullah on 21 June to further discuss bilateral matters, particularly economic issues, when the King emphasised the need to take the bilateral relations to a higher level.
An inter-ministerial 5-member delegation led by Shri A.P. Sudhir, Director General of Revenue Intelligence, visited Jordan from 29-30 June to evaluate the functioning of the Scanning Systems in the border posts in Jordan, in connection with the Government of India's plans to acquire Truck/Container Scanning System to be put into use at major seaports in the country as part of security arrangements for the ports.
Prof. Akhtarul Wasey, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities & Languages, Jamia Millia Islamia and Prof. Ali Ausaf, Founder Member of Jamia Millia Islamia participated from India in the International Islamic Conference in Amman from 04-06 July 2005.
Secretary (East) Shri Rajiv Sikri accompanied by DS (WANA) Shri B. Bala Bhasker visited Jordan from 30-31 August, 2005 and held discussion with the then Foreign Minister Farouk Qasrawi, Transport Minister Mr. Saud Nseirat and Secretary General Mr. Maher Madadha in the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation.
An eighteen-member Indian educational services delegation visited Amman from 1st to 3rd December, 2005.
Shri Pawan Kumar Varma, Director General, ICCR accompanied by a five member delegation visited Jordan from 4-7 December, 2005.
HRH Prince El-Hassan Bin Talal visited India to attend a conference on "Delhi sustainable Development summit" from 1-6 February, 2006. The Summit organized by Tata Energy Research Institute (TERI), New Delhi. During his visit to he met Shri Natwar Singh, former External Affairs, Minister and Member of Parliament, Chairperson of the National Advisory Council, Smt. Sonia Gandhi, Shri Virendra Dayal, Special Envoy, Shri Chinmaya Gharekhan, Special Envoy for West Asia, Dr. Karan Singh, President, ICCR and leader of the opposition Shri L.K. Advani. He also addressed the meetings organized by the Observer Research Foundation and Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis.
A 57 member Business delegation comprising Jordanian Businessmen Association (JBA) & Federation of Arab Businessmen (FAB) visited India from 20-25 February, 2006 and held discussions with Secretary (fertilizer), Secretary (Commerce) and Secretary (DIPP) including other officials. They had also held one to one business meetings on 21 February, 2006 and an MOU between CII and JBA & FBA was signed to promote trade relations between two countries.
An eight member delegation led by Regional Director (CHEMEXCIL) Ms. Jyoti Kaur visited Amman from 4-7 March, 2006. The delegation met Minster of Trade and Industry, Chairman and Board of Directors of Jordan Chamber of Commerce, individual corporate groups, Iraq-American Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chairman, Chamber of Commerce, Zarqa Free zone and Chairman, Zarqa Chamber of Industries to promote business between the two countries.
Special Envoy for West Asia and Middle East Peace Process Shri C.R. Gharekhan visited Amman from 6-7 March, 2006 at the invitation of Majlis El Hassan and Sasakawa Peace Foundation of Japan for participation in the dialogue on "Voice from West Asia : Promoting Dialogue and Mutual Efforts" held on 7th March, 2006 at Four Seasons Hotel, Amman. Shri C.R. Gharekhan met Foreign Minister Shri Abdul Ilah Khatib on 8th March, 2006 and discussed regional issues.
Her Majesty Queen Rania visited India from 9-11 March, 2006 to attend "India Today Conclave" an annual forum in New Delhi which encourages free and frank exchange of ideas among political leaders, Nobel laureates, policy makers, writers and leaders in business and addressed on 10th March, 2006. In addition to her participation in the conclave she also had a meeting with Smt. Sonai Gandhi, Chairperson of National Advisory Council. Prime Minister hosted Lunch in her honour. She also visited Ritanjali Learning Centre, a school for drop-outs and Kalawati Saran Children Hospital and met with patient and hospital workers and highlighted the need for increased efforts to bolster nation wide immunization in both India and other developing countries around the world. During her visit she visited Raj Ghat and Red Fort.
A nine member Gondwanaland Expedition visited Amman from 14-16 April, 2006. The expedition met President of Jordan University, Agriculture Scientists, Vice-President of Royal Scientific Society. The expedition handed over a peace message to Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Mr. Munir Nassar on behalf of King Abdullha-II.
A 46 business delegation participated in an international exhibition on “Rebuild Iraq 2006” which was held in Amman from 8-11 May, 2006. The delegation also met with Chairman, JBA and discussed on economic opportunities and possibilities of expanding investments in the Kingdom.
An eight member delegation led by Shri Madhukar Gupta, Secretary (Fertilizers) visited Jordan from 21-23 June, 2006. During their visit, the delegation called on the Minister of Industry and Trade, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, First Deputy Speaker, Chairman of Privatization Commission, Secretary General in Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation, Chairman of Jordan Phosphate Mining Co. and General Manager, Arab Potash Co. During the visit both sides emphasized the need for strengthening Indo-Jordan relationship in economic sphere.
Shri Chinmaya R. Gharekhan, Special Envoy for West Asia and Middle East Peace Process visited Amman from 23-24 August, 2006. Special Envoy met Foreign Minister Abdul Ilah Al-Khatib on 24th August, 2006 and discussed the bilateral relations as well as situation in the region.
Indo-Jordan Joint Trade and Economic Committee Meeting:
A 13-member delegation led by Secretary General, Ministry of Industry and Trade Mr. Muntaser Al Uqla visited India from 21-23 August, 2006 to attend 8th Indo-Jordan Joint Trade and Economic Committee Meeting in New Delhi. Many issues on trade and economic subjects were discussed during the joint session in New Delhi. Promoting Indian Investment in Jordanian Potash and Phosphate companies, establishment of a car assembling plant in Jordan, modernizing the aviation services, cooperation in shipping, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, information technology, tourism, customs and railways were the important issues of the joint session.
A cooperation agreement on trade promotion between Jordan Enterprise Development Corporation (JEDCO) and India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) was signed and Agreement on BIPPA was initialled.
(The 9th Indo-Jordan Joint Trade and Economic Committee Meeting is scheduled to be held in Amman in 2008).
King’s visit to India :
King Abdullah-II Bin Al Hussein and Queen Rania Al Abdullah accompanied by His Royal Highness Prince Talal Bin Mohammed, Advisor to the King and Minister of Industry and Trade Salem Khazaaleh and Minister of Information & Communication Technology Bassem Roussan made his first State visit to India from 30th November, to 2nd December, 2006. During the visit, the King held discussions with President, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Shri Manmohan Singh on the bilateral relations and the regional situations. Chairperson of UPA, Smt. Sonia Gandhi, External Affairs Minister Sri Pranab Mukerjee and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Shri Lal Krishna Advani called on the King. King Abdullah-II delivered a lecture at the Indian Council of World Affairs on “Jordan and India : Prospects for Cooperation” and addressed a business meeting jointly organized by CII, FICCI and ASSOCHAM on business opportunities for Indian corporate ector in Jordan particularly in IT, telecommunications and alternative energy and mining sectors as also investment in Special Economic Zones of Jordan.
During the visit, four agreements were signed at Ministers’ level on (i) Cooperation in Agriculture; (ii) Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection; (iii) Cooperation in Tourism; and (iV) Culture Exchange Programme.
A delegation led by Shri R.K. Singh, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation visited Jordan and held discussion from 15.1.2007 to 16.1.2007 with Civil Aviation Authority and Royal Jordanian Officials to promote air services between India and Jordan.
Shri Chinmaya R. Gharekhan, Special Envoy for Middle East Peace Process visited Amman from 3-6 February, 2007. Special Envoy met Foreign Minister Abdul Ilah Al-Khatib, Mr. Farouq Qasrawi, Advisor to the King, Prince El-Hassan Bin Talal and discussed the bilateral relations as well as situation in the region. Special Envoy also met Sunni-Sheikhs of Iraq and discussed the situation in Iraq.
Dr. Subas Pani, Secretary and Dr. Amar Singh, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development attended the 56th session of the Executive Committee of the Afro-Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO) held in Amman from 20-22 August, 2007.
Shri Chinmaya R. Gharekhan, Special Envoy for West Asia and Middle East Peace Process visited Amman from 1-3 September, 2007. Special Envoy met Foreign Minister Abdul Ilah Al-Khatib and discussed the bilateral relations as well as developments in the region. Special Envoy also met Sheikh Harith Al-Dari, General Secretary of the Association of Muslim Scholars of Iraq and discussed the situation in Iraq.
Shri Mahmoud A. Madani, Hon'ble Member of Parliament (RS) visited Jordan from 3-5 September, 2007 to participate in the Conference on "Amman Message" organized by Royal Aal al Bayt Institute.
Shri Sanjiv Arora, JS (UNP) led an Indian delegation to the Conference on "Capstone Doctrine" held by UNDPKO in association with Jordan's Institute of Diplomacy in Amman from 5-6 September 2007.
Col. Mahmood A.A., Commandant, President's Body Guard led a Defence Delegation to Jordan from 10-12 September 2007.The delegation called on King Abdullah II and visited Jordanian Royal Guards and other Defence Brigades. This was the first Defence Delegation to Jordan from India.
Prof. Akhtarul Wasey, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities & Languages, Jamia Millia Islamia participated from India in the International Islamic Conference in Amman from 10-12 September, 2007.
MOS (EA) visited Jordan from 26-29 September 2007 and called on His Majesty King Abdullah II. During the meeting, MOS (EA) handed over a letter from Rashtrapatiji to His majesty and discussed bilateral relations and developments in the region.
Kumari Selja, MOS (I/C), Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, accompanied by JS (HUPA) and CMD(HUDCO) visited Jordan from 26-28 October 2007 and attended the 2nd Bureau Meeting of the Asia Pacific Ministers Conference on Housing and Urban Development (APMCHUD). The meeting discussed ways of improving housing mechanisms and exchange of expertise amongst the member states in the fields of housing and urban development. MOS on her capacity as the chairperson of the Bureau inaugurated the website of the APMCHUD during the meeting.
Mr. Khaled Najieb Elshuraydeh, former Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources of Jordan participated in the 2nd Asian Ministerial Conference on "Disaster Risk Reduction" held in New Delhi from 7-8 November, 2007. He met Shri Vilas Muttemwar, Hon'ble Minister of State (Independent charge) of New and Renewable energy on 7th November, 2007 on the sidelines of the Conference and discussed bilateral Cooperation in wind energy. Jordanian Minister asked for cooperation in wind energy for reducing dependence on imports of oil and natural gas for future needs.
HRH Princess Basma Bint Talal aunt of King Abdullah-II, made a private visit to India from 25 January to 3 February, 2008.
Shri Chinmaya R. Gharekhan, Special Envoy for West Asia and Middle East Peace Process visited Amman from 16-18 April, 2008. Special Envoy met HRH Prince Hassan, Foreign Minister Salaheddin Bashir and Think Tank intellectuals and discussed the developments in the region and progress made in the Peace Process.
MESSAGES
His Majesty King Abdullah II sent a cable of condolences to Indian President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam over victims of a devastating earthquake that struck the country in October, 2005. In his cable King Abdullah expressed deep condolences in his name and on behalf of the Jordanian people and government to the Indian people and families of the victims. The Royal Court separately conveyed King Abdullah's desire to send relief supplies to India. While conveying thanks for the gesture, we informed the Royal Court our policy in this regard.
President and Prime Minister of India sent messages to the King Abdullah-II and Jordanian Prime Minister respectively condemning the terrorist Attacks against three hotels in Amman on 9th November, 2005.
Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Shri E. Ahmed sent message of felicitations to Dr. Marouf Bakhit, Prime Minister and Mr. Abdul Ilah Khatib, Foreign Minister on their respective appointments.
King Abdullah-II sent cable of condolences to Indian President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam expressing his deepest sympathy over the death of Indian pilgrims in the stampede during the first week of January, 2006.
Hon’ble President of India, A.P.J. Abul Kalam sent message to King Abdullah-II of Jordan on the 60th anniversary of Jordan falling on 25th May, 2006.
King Abdullah-II sent cable of condolences to Indian President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam on 2nd July, 2006 expressing his deepest sympathy to the families of the victims of terrorist attacks on commuter trains in Mumbai.
Hon’ble President of India, A.P.J. Abul Kalam sent message to King Abdullah-II of Jordan on the 61st anniversary of Jordan falling on 25th May, 2007.
King Abdullah-II sent a cable to Pratibha Patil on 23rd July, 2007 congratulating her on her election as the President of India and also as the first woman President of India.
King Abdullah-II sent cable of condolence on 2nd August, 2007 to Indian President on the loss of many lives in the recent floods in India.
Hon’ble President of India, Pratibha Patil sent message to King Abdullah-II of Jordan on the 62nd anniversary of Jordan falling on 25th May, 2008.
Extradition Treaty
A draft agreement by GoI on Extradition Treaty between the two countries has been forwarded to Ministry of Interior, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, which is under its consideration.
SCIENCE AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COOPERATION
Jordan and India signed a Protocol for Scientific and Technical Cooperation between the Indian Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and the Royal Scientific Society of Jordan in April 1985. An MoU on cooperation in Science and Technology was signed between Indian National Academy of Sciences and the Royal Scientific of Society of Jordan in January, 2006.
A MoU on cooperation in IT sector between the two countries is under process.
Human Resource Development
A draft agreement by GoI on “Man Power” has been forwarded to Ministry of Labour, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan which is under its consideration.
DOUBLE TAXATION AVOIDENCE AGREEMENT
A Convention between the Government of the Republic of India and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income was signed at New Delhi on 20 April 1999 and came into force in October 1999.
The Convention was signed, on behalf of the Government of India, by Shri Ravi Kant, Chairman, Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), and by H.E. Mr. Hisham Muhaisen, Ambassador of Jordan to India, on behalf of the Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
Bilateral Investments Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPPA)
Bilateral Investments Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPPA) was initialled by the both sides during the 8th Indo-Jordan Joint Trade and Economic Committee held in New Delhi from 21-23 August, 2006. The BIPPA was signed on 1st December, 2006 during King’s visit to India.
Investments in Jordan
Indian Farmers' Fertilizers Cooperative Ltd. (IFFCO) signed a partnership agreement with Jordan Phosphate Mines Co. (JPMC) on 1st December, 2007 to build a full-fledged plant for the production of phosphoric acid at El-Eshidiya Mine with a cost of US$ 570 million. Under the agreement, IFFCO would be fully charged with the production of phosphoric acid, while the JPMC would annually provide the project with 2-2.5 million tonnes of crude phosphate. The plant would produce 475,000 tonnes of phosphoric acid and around 1.5 million tonnes of sulphuric acid annually. JPMC would have 48 per cent stake in the project while IFFCO would have the remaining 52 per cent of the equity.
There are 19 garment factories, owned by Indians in Qualified Industrial Zones (QIZs) in Jordan, investing US $ 45 mn. and employing around 2500 persons. They are exporting their products mainly to the US without any duty, as Jordan has Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US.
M/s Bharati Telesoft signed a cooperation agreement on 24th February, 2008 with Optimiza Co. to establish a regional centre for the Bharati Telesoft Co. in Jordan to serve the customers in the Middle East and North Africa.
The bilateral trade which was recorded at US$ 131 million in 1985, more than doubled to US$ 307 in 2000. While India's imports from Jordan increased from US$ 126 million in 1985 to US $ 409.28 million in 2006 and to US$ 469 million in 2007, Indian exports rose from a modest figure of US$ 5 million in 1985 to US$ 114.43 million in 2006 to US $ 302 million in 2007. India is the 3rd largest exports partner of Jordan after USA and Iraq. According to the imports-exports data published by Department of the Statistics of Jordan for the period January -March, 2008, India became Jordan's 5th imports partner.
Export Promotion Council for EoUs & SEZ units (Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Jordan Chamber of Commerce on 4th May, 2008 in Amman for mutual cooperation in trade and economic relations.
A Business delegation from 40 companies under the umbrella of Export Promotion Council for EoUs & SEZs & EEPC participated in the 5th International Re-build Iraq Exhibition held in Amman from 5-8 May, 2008. The participating companies dealt in oil, gas, generation and distribution of electricity, bridges, railways, airports, seaports, telecommunication equipments and construction materials.
CULTURE, EDUCATION & TOURISM
The Cultural Cooperation Agreement between India and Jordan was first signed on 15 February 1976 in Amman. The Agreement envisages cooperation in the fields of education, art and culture, tourism, information and mass media, sports, social development, health and direct interaction between the scientific and research institutions. A Cultural Exchange Programme for the year 2007-09 was signed on 1st December, 2006 during King’s visit to India.
The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) offers about five scholarships to meritorious students to pursue higher studies in India. Two archaeologists from the Archaeological Survey of India visited Jordan in Mid 2002 under the Cultural Exchange Programme. The Minister of Tourism, Dr. Taleb Rifai, visited India in August 2002 to attend the World Travel and Tourism Conference in Agra. At the prestigious Jerash Festival, a Kathak dance troupe was sent by ICCR, in 2003 at the invitation of Jerash Festival authorities which performed during the festival at Jerash and also in Amman coinciding with our Independence Day celebrations.
The Government of India also offers training to Jordanian Government Officers under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme (ITEC) every year. 15(fifteen) slots are allotted to Jordan.
Former Foreign Minister Dr. Kamel Abu Jaber visited India in November 1999 under ICCR’s Distinguished Visitors’ Programme and called on MOS for External Affairs Ajit Panja.
Military delegations from the Royal Jordanian War College and the Royal Jordanian Staff College have also visited India. An NDC college visited Jordan in May 2000.
The Editor of the leading local daily Ad Dustour visited India in 2002 at the invitation of XP Division.
The former Prime Minister of Jordan and President of the Islamic Academy of Sciences, Dr. Abdul Salam Majali, visited India in 2002 to participate in the seminar organised by the Third World Academy of Sciences. The former Prime Minister Adnan Badran in his former capacity as President of the private Philadelphia University accompanied by the Vice Dean visited India and met the Vice Chancellor of JNU, IIT Delhi and a few other universities and explored the possibility of collaboration in the field of technical education. As a result, a few Indian professors have been recruited by various universities in Jordan to teach technical subjects, particularly IT.
India Tourism Office, Dubai, in association with this Embassy, organized an "India Evening" on 29 September, 2004 in Amman, where the travel agents and tour operators were invited to showcase India as a tourist destination for all seasons and encouraging them to promote India to tourists and others travellers. Incentives were also announced for promoting Indian tourism. Dignitaries from diplomatic circle and other friends of India were also present.
A large number of Jordanian students used to go to India on self-financing basis for pursuing higher studies in various Indian universities. In recent years, the number has come down as the cost of higher education in India has gone up. At present, there are over 500 Jordanian students pursuing studies in different universities in India. The number of Jordanian alumni of Indian universities is over 2500.
Shri Pawan Kumar Varma, Director General, ICCR accompanied by a five member delegation visited Jordan from 4-7 December, 2005.
ICCR sent two cultural troupes-(i) Kathak Dance troupe and (ii) Sitar Instrumental group from India for participation in the International Jerash Festival in July 2007. India participated in Jerash Festival in 2007 after a gap of four years.
Al-Sharifa Hind Al Nasser visited India and exhibited her paintings in New Delhi and Hyderabad in November 2007.
The Mission organized a modern art exhibition from 5 – 11 March, 2008 in Amman in association with Lalit Kala Academi and Jordanian Ministry of Culture. 36 Paintings and 6 sculptures were put on display during the exhibition. Works of famous painters like M.F. Hussein, Tyeb Mehta, F.N.Souza, Arpita Singh, Krishna Reddy etc. were displayed.
A week-long Indian Film Festival was held in Amman from 1-6 June 2008 with the association of Jordanian Royal Film Commission. The festival was inaugurated by HRH Princess Rym Ali.
Others:
A suspension bridge made by M/s Larsen & Toubro was inaugurated on 14th December, 2006 by Prime Minister Dr. Marouf Bakhit in presence of Ambassador R. Dayakar. The 425 meter long suspension bridge straddling the Wadi Abdoun (Abdoun Valley) was constructed at a cost of JD 23 Million (equal to US$ 32.43) for the Municipality of the Greater Amman. The suspension bridge is the first of its kind not only in the region but also in the world. The bridge was designed by London based Indian Engineer Mr. A. Sreenivasan.
The number of Indian nationals in Jordan is estimated to be around 4,000 most of whom are workers in the textile and construction sectors.
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