Jordan-India economic cooperation may put Jordanians in awkward position

Jordan

Published: 2017-08-10 16:48

Last Updated: 2024-04-19 03:20


Editor: Kamel AlSharif

Bibi and Modi talk business at the beach. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Bibi and Modi talk business at the beach. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Petra News Agency reported on Sunday that the Jordanian-Indian Ministerial Committee concluded meetings in Delhi, where they examined the potential of increasing commercial deals between the two countries, as well as joint investments.

During the meetings, Industry, Trade and Supply Minister Yarub Qudah requested India provide preferential treatment to phosphate imports in comparison to other countries, by reducing fees in order to maintain Jordan’s comparative advantage.

Both countries also emphasized the need to relax visa restrictions on Indians entering the Kingdom.

This news may put the Jordanian public in an awkward position, following Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state-visit to Israel last month.

The state-visit is the first from any Indian Prime Minister to Israel since its creation in 1948, aimed at elevating the “strategic partnership” between Tel Aviv and Delhi. Although Modi assured President Mahmoud Abbas that India’s ties with Israel will not threaten its relationship with the state of Palestine.

However, the Huffington Post reports that the relationship is clearly tilted towards Israel. This is evidenced by Modi’s right-wing, Bharatiya Janata Party-led government, which for the last three years abstained from a UN resolution against Israel for its war crimes during the 2014 Gaza offensive.

India has historically supported the State of Palestine; particularly with the mutual struggle for independence from British colonialism, and a $10 million pledge in relief back in 2012.

With that said, if the Indian government is normalizing a relationship with Israel, would the Jordanian public feel comfortable consuming more Indian products?