Fakhoury hails New Delhi-Amman ties

AMMAN — India has been transformed from a developing country into a donor country, Planning and International Cooperation Minister Imad Fakhoury said in remarks quoted by the Jordan News Agency, Petra, on Wednesday. 

During Indian independence day celebrations held at the Indian Embassy in Amman, Fakhoury stressed the importance of cooperation between the two countries.

Fakhoury also commended the accomplishments and strides that have contributed in making India the world’s seventh largest economy. 

Among these, the minister pointed to India’s “vast” industrialisation process, growth of infrastructure and services, food grain production, IT sector, technical education and skills, renewable energy, health improvements and the democratic process, among many others, according to Petra. 

The Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation programme (ITEC) has benefitted Jordan via India’s “vast experience” in a number of fields; finance, banking, education, small- and medium-sized enterprises, rural development, environment, and renewable energy, said Fakhoury.

The minister commended India’s “prompt response” by providing a $2 million grant to support Syrian refugees and host communities under the Jordan Response Plan (JRP), Petra said.

“Almost two years ago, we were privileged with India’s former president, Shri Pranab Mukherjee, and his visit to Jordan following an invitation from His Majesty King Abdullah,” Fakhoury noted.

 The partnership between Jordan and India has resulted in a number of bilateral agreements and MoUs aimed at promoting and expanding the “critical” areas of cooperation for both countries; including trade, investment promotion, customs, information and communications technology, transport, tourism, culture in addition to private sector cooperation, he emphasised

Last month, Jordan and India held the 10th Session of the India-Jordan Trade and Economic Joint Committee, which included a private sector delegation, Petra quoted the minister as saying. 

“We will be further promote and diversify our bilateral trade, customs cooperation, avoidance of double taxation and cooperation in the field of fertiliser, visa and consular issues, MSMEs, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, energy and renewable energy, transport, ICT, education, tourism, culture and agriculture,” he said

According to Fakhoury, both countries have also agreed to organise an annual Indo-Jordanian Business Forum, capitalising on the “great potential” that both countries enjoy.

For her part, India’s ambassador in Jordan, Shubhdarshini Tripathi, outlined India’s developments and achievements over the past years, noting that India has one of the oldest civilisations in the world.

India is the only country that gave the right to vote to all adults since the first election, the ambassador said, adding that the literacy rate has increased from 16 per cent in 1951 to 74.4 per cent today, Petra added.