New Delhi, Dec 16 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s journey to Jordan has significantly enhanced the bilateral relationship between India and this West Asian nation, culminating in the signing of five MoUs covering various sectors including renewable energy, water resource management, cultural exchange, digital solutions, and the twinning of Petra and Ellora, as outlined in an official announcement released on Tuesday.

During his visit, PM Modi engaged in comprehensive talks with King Abdullah II of Jordan, focusing on strategies to further enhance bilateral cooperation in diverse areas such as trade and investment; defense and security; renewable energy; fertilizer and agriculture; innovation, IT and digital technologies; critical minerals; infrastructure; health and pharma; education and capacity building; tourism and heritage; as well as cultural exchanges and people-to-people connections, the statement indicated.

The Prime Minister suggested that both nations aim to elevate their bilateral trade to $5 billion over the next five years. He advocated for collaboration between Jordan’s digital payment framework and India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI). Notably, Jordan supplies a substantial amount of fertilizer to India, and discussions are ongoing between companies from both countries regarding further investments in Jordan to satisfy the increasing demand for phosphatic fertilizer in India.

This visit marks PM Modi’s first extensive trip to Jordan, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

India stands as Jordan’s third-largest trading partner, with Jordan being a primary supplier of phosphates and potash fertilizers to India.

Currently, approximately 17,500 Indian nationals reside in Jordan, primarily engaged in textiles, construction, manufacturing, and healthcare sectors.

India exports products like cereals, frozen meat, petroleum, and animal fodder to Jordan, while importing fertilizers, particularly phosphates and potash. Initiatives such as long-term joint ventures and the establishment of Indian-owned manufacturing units in Jordan reflect a profound level of commercial integration.

A significant joint venture, the Jordan India Fertiliser Company (JIFCO), formed between Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative (IFFCO) and Jordan Phosphate Mines Company (JPMC), was established to produce and export phosphoric acid to India. Originally valued at $860 million, this venture serves as a vital source of phosphoric acid for India.

Additionally, over 15 garment manufacturing companies owned by Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) operate within Jordan’s Qualified Industrial Zones (QIZs), with a total investment of around $500 million. These firms produce garments in Jordan and export the finished items to various markets under the Jordan-USA FTA framework.

Moreover, the establishment of the Indian-Jordan Center of Excellence in Information Technology, a state-of-the-art IT facility at Al-Hussein Technical University (HTU), signifies the growing technological collaboration between the two nations. Fully funded by India, this center boasts cutting-edge IT infrastructure, including the Super Computer PARAM Shavak and advanced training facilities. The Government of India also conducts master trainer courses for Jordanian specialists in emerging fields like Cyber Security, Web Development, Machine Learning, and Big Data Analytics.