India, Jordan explore ways to foster cooperation

AMMAN — Foreign office consultations held this week between India and Jordan provided the two countries with an opportunity to review bilateral relations and examine ways to boost them, Secretary (East) in India’s Ministry of External Affairs Anil Wadhwa said on Tuesday.   

In an interview with The Jordan Times, Wadhwa said the two sides agreed to hold consultations at regular intervals because of their significance in strengthening ties. 

Previous foreign office consultations were held in 2005.

More importantly, the discussions took place in a very “cordial atmosphere”, reflecting the traditionally friendly relations between India and Jordan, according to the diplomat.

Expressing satisfaction with the outcome of the meetings, Wadhwa said they also gave both countries the chance to exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest. 

He said his meeting with Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh “focused mainly on trade and investments”.

“He [Judeh] suggested that we should make sure that we have a visit of a technical delegation, preferably every month, in order to keep the high level of momentum,” Wadhwa added.

“He also suggested that we should set a trade target every year so that we can try to achieve that.”

Also at the meeting, Judeh accepted an invitation to visit India, according to Wadhwa. 

“We have a new government which is going to be in force by June, so sometime between June and December, he will be visiting us,” the Indian official noted. 

Regarding ways to materialise the envisaged goals he said: “We will have to get the delegations to come and discuss tangible aspects of cooperation.” 

“We have had a general discussion of what we have at the moment. We have 25 textile companies that have invested in the special qualifying zones in Jordan.”

“Also, we have a big joint venture which will be commissioned in the month of May… That plant will produce 500,000 metric tonnes of phosphoric acid to be exported to India annually,” Wadhwa said, adding that there are plans to set up two other phosphoric acid plants, “which will probably happen next year”.

During a meeting with Trade Minister Hatem Halawani on Monday, discussions focused on ways to increase the trade volume, which amounted to $1.61 billion in 2013. 

Meanwhile, a visit by two Jordanian delegations representing small- and medium-sized enterprises and pharmaceuticals to India is pending, he said, noting that the two sides are considering the potential for boosting bilateral trade, through cooperation in IT, call centres, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, automotive spare parts, fertilisers and textiles.

Moreover, the India-Jordan Economic and Trade Committee will convene in Amman after June, he said. 

Wadhwa commended Jordan’s development in various areas.

“There is a lot of progress since my last visit to the Kingdom 1998.”  

“I am very happy with my visit to Jordan and would like to take this opportunity to convey my warm and very best wishes to the friendly and welcoming people of this beautiful Kingdom.” 

During the three-day visit, which concluded late Tuesday, the delegates went to Jerash and the Dead Sea. 

Political transformations

Talks with Foreign Ministry officials addressed the Middle East peace process, Wadhwa said, noting that India and Jordan share similar views on these issues. 

“We strongly reject religious fundamentalism and extremism as well as terrorism in all forms,” he added, noting that his country also seeks to further strengthen its cooperation with Jordan in the security field.

India supports a just, comprehensive and lasting peace, leading to the establishment of a secure, viable and united state of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital and with recognised borders alongside Israel, and would like to see an amicable solution of the issue, Wadhwa said, commending Jordan’s role in seeking a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and in strengthening the forces of moderation.

“India is also deeply concerned at the ongoing violence in Syria and the loss of human life. It has consistently urged all sides to abdicate violence so that conditions can be created for an inclusive political solution… taking into account the legitimate aspirations of the people of Syria,” the diplomat said.

“Syria’s role in the Middle East and in the stability of the wider region is pivotal. Thus prolonged instability or unrest in Syria will have serious ramifications for the region and beyond.”