Jordan's King arrives tomorrow to cement eco ties

New Delhi, Nov 29: Jordanian King Abdullah II Bin El Hussein will arrive here tomorrow on a three-day state visit to India during which he would ink five agreements to especially consolidate and expand economic ties between the two countries.

The five agreements will be signed in diverse areas such as investment protection, agriculture tourism, information technology and cultural exchange.

This will be the first visit to India by the 44-year-old monarch, who will be accompanied by Queen Rania El Abdullah, an External Affairs Ministry spokesman said today.

The royal couple are coming here at the invitation of President A P J Abdul Kalam.

The importance Jordan attaches to India as an economic partner is indicative from the presence of top business leaders in the King's entourage.

According to the spokesman, the trade between the two countries was worth 494 million dollars, with India's export to Jordan growing by 45 per cent during Jan-Oct 2006.

India's exports include frozen meat, pharmaceuticals, textiles, handicrafts, tobacco and basmati rice.

India is also associated in various projects in Jordan such as oil xploration and roads.

The spokesman said the 1999 agreement between the two countries on double taxation is under the renegotiation process.

During his stay, the King will discuss with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh ways to enhance bilateral relations and deepen economic engagement between the two countries.

The monarch will also meet Dr Kalam, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and ruling United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi.

The Jordanian King, who has been ruling the country for the past seven years, will deliver a keynote address on India-Jordan relations at the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA).

He will also interact with top Indian business leaders at a meeting organised by the country's apex trade and industry bodies.

Jordan's late King Hussein visited India thrice (1963, 1983 and 1986) and former Crown Prince El Hassan Bin Talal made five visits (1976, 1979, 1982, 1984 and 1988). Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi visited Jordan in 1988.

Indo-Jordanian relations go back to 1947. The two countries signed their first bilateral agreement for co-operation and friendly relations in 1947, which was formalised in 1950 with the establishment of full-fledged diplomatic ties.

UNI