The North News
New Delhi, December 16
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Jordan’s King Abdullah II have called for a sharp expansion of economic ties between the two countries, unveiling an ambition to double bilateral trade to $5bn (£4bn) over the next five years. Addressing the India-Jordan Business Forum in Amman, Modi said India, now the world’s fastest-growing major economy, offered vast opportunities for Jordanian businesses through its 1.4 billion-strong consumer market, growing manufacturing base and what he described as a stable and predictable policy environment.
He invited companies from Jordan to partner with Indian firms across a range of sectors, arguing that the two countries could emerge as trusted supply-chain partners for global markets. India’s economic growth of more than 8%, he said, was being driven by productivity-focused governance and innovation-led policies. The Prime Minister highlighted new avenues for collaboration in digital public infrastructure, information technology, fintech, health-tech and agri-tech, encouraging start-ups from both sides to work together. He said India’s strengths in pharmaceuticals and medical devices, combined with Jordan’s strategic location, could help position the country as a hub for West Asia and Africa.
Other areas identified for cooperation included agriculture, cold chains, food parks, fertilisers, infrastructure, automobiles, green mobility, and heritage and cultural tourism. Modi also called for deeper engagement in renewable energy, green finance, desalination and water recycling, pointing to India’s expanding green initiatives.
The forum was attended by Jordan’s Crown Prince Hussein, the country’s trade, industry and investment minister, and senior business leaders from sectors including infrastructure, health, energy, defence, logistics and manufacturing. Representatives from the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the Jordan Chamber of Commerce were also present, building on an existing agreement to promote trade.
King Abdullah II stressed the importance of strengthening business-to-business ties, urging industry leaders to convert potential into tangible growth. He said Jordan’s free trade agreements, coupled with India’s economic scale, could help create an economic corridor linking South Asia with West Asia and beyond.
Modi described India and Jordan as partners bound by deep civilisational links and a growing contemporary relationship, praising Jordan’s role as a bridge connecting markets and regions.
