India and Jordan Target US$5 Billion Bilateral Trade by 2030 as Economic Cooperation Expands

India and Jordan are seeking to deepen economic cooperation across trade, investment, fertilisers, food security, energy, water and infrastructure, with both sides working towards increasing bilateral trade to US$5 billion by 2030.

Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman met Jordan’s Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Zeina Zeid Toukan in Doha on September 28, 2026, on the sidelines of the 11th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. The meeting formed part of Sitharaman’s official visit to Qatar from September 27 to 29.

The discussions built on the broader India–Jordan economic partnership, which has been expanding beyond conventional merchandise trade into fertilisers, infrastructure, renewable energy, water management and investment cooperation.

India and Jordan Focus on Trade and Investment

During the meeting, the two ministers discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation, with particular emphasis on food security, fertilisers, trade and investment.

The Ministry of Finance said Sitharaman highlighted India’s importance as one of Jordan’s major trading partners and reiterated the objective of taking bilateral trade to US$5 billion by 2030.

Jordan, in turn, emphasised the importance of India as a major market and expressed interest in expanding cooperation with Indian companies and institutions across several strategic sectors.

The talks reflected a shared effort to broaden the economic relationship by encouraging greater commercial exchanges, investments and project partnerships between the two countries.

Fertilisers Remain Central to India–Jordan Economic Relations

Fertilisers continue to be one of the most important pillars of India–Jordan trade.

Jordan possesses significant reserves of phosphate and potash, both of which are critical inputs for fertiliser production. India is one of the world’s largest agricultural economies and requires a steady supply of fertiliser raw materials to support domestic food production.

Official Indian government documents have identified Jordan as an important supplier of phosphatic and potash fertilisers to India.

Cooperation in this sector has therefore developed beyond simple trade. Indian companies have also invested in Jordan’s fertiliser industry, creating a long-term economic relationship linked directly to India’s agricultural and food-security requirements.

The September 28 discussions reinforced the importance of expanding this partnership further as India works to secure reliable sources of agricultural inputs.

Food Security Creates a Wider Area of Cooperation

Food security was another major area discussed during the Doha meeting.

For India, fertiliser availability is closely linked with agricultural productivity and long-term food security. For Jordan, cooperation with India provides access to a large agricultural and consumer market while opening opportunities for technology, investment and supply-chain partnerships.

Greater cooperation could therefore extend across fertiliser production, agricultural inputs, food processing, logistics and related infrastructure.

The inclusion of food security in the ministerial discussions shows how the India–Jordan economic relationship is becoming increasingly connected with broader strategic supply chains rather than remaining confined to conventional trade.

Jordan Seeks Greater Indian Participation in Energy and Infrastructure

Jordan’s Minister of Planning and International Cooperation described India as a critical market and expressed interest in strengthening cooperation in fertilisers, energy, water and infrastructure projects.

These sectors offer considerable scope for Indian engineering, construction, energy and technology companies.

Jordan faces structural challenges related to energy dependence and water scarcity, while India has developed substantial capabilities in renewable energy, infrastructure engineering, digital systems and large-scale project execution.

Closer cooperation could therefore create opportunities for Indian companies while supporting Jordan’s long-term development priorities.

Water Cooperation Has Already Gained Momentum

Water management is an especially important area in India–Jordan relations because Jordan is among the world’s most water-stressed countries.

During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jordan in December 2025, the two sides signed an agreement on cooperation in water-resource management and development.

The agreement provided a framework for collaboration in areas such as water conservation, resource management and related technical expertise.

The latest ministerial discussions indicate that water cooperation remains part of the wider economic and development partnership being built between the two countries.

Renewable Energy Is Another Growing Pillar

India and Jordan have also taken steps to expand cooperation in renewable energy.

During the December 2025 bilateral engagement, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding covering technical cooperation in new and renewable energy.

Both countries have strong reasons to expand cooperation in this field. India is rapidly increasing its renewable-energy capacity, while Jordan has been working to reduce its dependence on imported energy and increase the contribution of solar and other renewable sources.

Indian companies could potentially participate in renewable-energy projects, equipment supply, grid infrastructure and related engineering services as bilateral economic cooperation expands.

Bilateral Trade Already Has a Strong Base

India and Jordan have maintained long-standing commercial ties, particularly in fertilisers, chemicals, textiles, engineering goods and agricultural products.

Official Indian government background material released around Prime Minister Modi’s December 2025 visit placed bilateral trade at approximately US$2.3 billion in 2024.

The two sides agreed that the existing trade basket needed to become more diversified and that bilateral commerce should grow substantially over the following five years.

The US$5 billion target therefore represents more than a numerical objective. Achieving it will require new sectors, greater private investment and deeper business-to-business engagement.

India’s Investment Presence in Jordan Is Significant

Indian companies already have an established presence in Jordan, particularly in fertilisers, textiles and manufacturing.

This investment relationship provides a foundation for deeper commercial cooperation because Indian businesses are already familiar with Jordan’s operating environment and regional position.

Jordan’s location also gives it potential value as a commercial gateway to markets in West Asia and the eastern Mediterranean.

Greater Indian investment in infrastructure, renewable energy, industrial manufacturing, fertilisers and water technologies could therefore strengthen bilateral trade while creating longer-term economic linkages.

December 2025 Visit Created a Broader Framework

The September 2026 talks build directly on the momentum created during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jordan in December 2025.

During that visit, India and Jordan expanded cooperation across renewable energy, water resources, digital solutions, culture and other fields.

The two countries also agreed that bilateral trade should rise to US$5 billion over the following five years.

The latest meeting between Sitharaman and Toukan therefore represents a continuation of that economic roadmap rather than an isolated engagement.

Digital and Technology Cooperation Could Add New Trade Drivers

India’s growing capabilities in digital public infrastructure, fintech, information technology and digital governance could also provide new areas for cooperation with Jordan.

During earlier bilateral discussions, India proposed greater collaboration in digital solutions, including the potential for linking payment systems.

Such cooperation could make commercial transactions easier while supporting wider digital transformation.

Technology partnerships could also help diversify the bilateral relationship beyond traditional areas such as fertilisers and textiles.

AIIB Meeting Provides a Wider Infrastructure Context

Sitharaman’s meeting with Toukan took place during the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank’s 2026 Annual Meeting in Doha.

India is the second-largest shareholder in the AIIB, and the institution focuses on financing sustainable infrastructure and development projects across Asia and other member economies.

The setting was therefore particularly relevant to discussions involving infrastructure, investment, water and energy.

Sitharaman also held meetings with other international counterparts during the Qatar visit as India continued to deepen economic and investment ties across West Asia and beyond.

India–Jordan Economic Partnership Enters a Broader Phase

The India–Jordan economic relationship is gradually moving beyond its traditional foundation in fertilisers and commodity trade.

Food security, renewable energy, water management, infrastructure, digital technologies and investment are emerging as additional pillars of cooperation.

Jordan benefits from access to one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing major markets, while India gains from reliable fertiliser supplies, investment opportunities and closer economic engagement with an important West Asian partner.

The US$5 billion bilateral trade target by 2030 provides a clear benchmark for this expanding relationship. With both governments now identifying multiple sectors for deeper cooperation, India and Jordan are building a more diversified economic partnership anchored in trade, investment and long-term strategic development.

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References

Ministry of Finance, Government of India — Official update on meeting between Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Jordan’s Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Zeina Zeid Toukan, 28 September 2026

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