India keen to deepen ties with Jordan, sign defence agreement

India would like to deepen bilateral ties between the two countries, during Jordanian King Abdullah II’s visit and fast track the exercise of signing a defence framework agreement, which is currently under negotiation.

In a statement, the External Affairs Ministry has said that the two sides will discuss the entire gamut of bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest.

The Palestinian issue and ways to deal with terrorism, radicalisation and extremism are likely to figure, apart from key bilateral and regional matters, in talks between the King and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sources said.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will call on him in the morning, post which the Jordan King will be meeting with Indian business leaders and members of Jordanian-Indian Business Forum, separately. On Wednesday, the King will visit IIT Delhi to explore collaboration with Jordan technical institutes.

On Thursday, after the ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhawan, he will visit Rajghat before attending an event on ‘Islamic Heritage: Promoting Understanding and Moderation.’ The topic — ‘Islamic heritage; Promoting Understanding and Moderation’ —  has been selected by the King himself. Modi will also attend the event.

During the day, the King will also participate in a CEO Round-table, followed by India-Jordan Business Forum being jointly organised by FICCI, CII and ASSOCHAM.

The two sides will hold delegation level talks the same day when they are are expected to ink a number of agreements to expand cooperation in several key sectors, including healthcare, IT, customs and will look to firm up a framework pact for defence and security cooperation.

The Jordanian King is particularly appreciative of India’s plurality, diversity and the way it has tackled radicalisation and extremism, and he is likely to elaborate on this aspect in his address.