Day 47 – Q 4.What significance does Jordan hold for India for its interests in the Middle East? Analyse.
4. What significance does Jordan hold for India for its interests in the Middle East? Analyse.
मध्य-पूर्व में अपने हितों के लिए जॉर्डन भारत के लिए क्या महत्व रखता है? विश्लेषण करें।
Synopsis:
Middle East is the strategically very important for India and Jordan is the gateway to establish the India’s “Act west policy”. Jordan and India established diplomatic relations in 1950 after India became a Republic, although the first bilateral agreement on cooperation and friendly relations was entered into soon after Indian independence in 1947. The exchange of bilateral visits at high political and senior official levels declined significantly after King Abdullah’s productive visit in 2006. The relationship has failed to realize the huge, untapped potential.
Recent years have, however, witnessed a decisive impetus to the bilateral partnership. The first ever visit by an Indian Head of State to Jordan took place in 2015. This provided a huge impetus to bilateral engagement in a wide range of areas. Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Jordan in early February 2018 occurred 30 years after Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s visit to Amman in 1988.
Significance of Jordan for its interests in Middle East:
“Jordan is an oasis of peace and prosperity” – Pranab Mukherjee
- Jordan being one of the most inclusive societies, employment generation is the key to turn the tables when it comes to Middle East.
- Jordanian economy towards job creation: the major issue facing the country and its youth. Fertilizer companies already established by India shall be expanded further to other Middle East countries.
- Jordan is more than a transit point. Egypt and Jordan are possible transit points to reach Palestine without visiting Israel.
- India supports the establishment of a Palestinian state as soon as possible with East Jerusalem as its capital. A stable Jordan can fulfill India’s aim. India also supports the Arab Peace Plan, which is one of the burning issue in the Middle East.
- Through the march of the Arab Spring eight years ago, he progressively transformed his rule of Jordan to a more effective constitutional monarchy which can be extended to other Middle Eastern countries.
- With the other major threat looming over the Middle East, that of Radical Islam and in the midst of the growing sectarian discord between Iran and Saudi Arabia, King Abdullah held one of the best attended conclaves to address the issue of the hijacking of the moderate Islamic street by the Islamic radical elements.
- India is at a unique juncture of history and one of the only nations which comfortably straddles the political and strategic divide in the Middle East. Partnering the Jordan as a virtual interlocutor it could perhaps be best guided towards that role.
- Both India and Jordan face the common threat of terrorism and extremism. Other concerns include radicalization of youth, lack of employment opportunity; weak governance, conflicts and civil war are depriving the region and its people of their right to live in peace and prosperity. India and Jordan can collaborate effectively to mitigate the adverse impact of these negative developments.
India is the “rising star of Asia” and Jordan’s “natural partner” – Queen Rania
Conclusion:
Jordan sought an increased role for India in the Middle East peace process while appreciating New Delhi’s support for a two-state solution to end the Palestinian conflict. An unstable Jordan will undermine India’s newly found nuanced and balanced approach towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Middle East instability at large and push it back to the insipid, ineffective and routine of yester years.
Best Answer: GOG
