Indian president to visit Jordan next week

AMMAN — Indian President Shri Pranab Mukherjee will pay a state visit to Jordan between October 10 and 12, according to a Royal Court statement, in the first such visit by an Indian head of state in 65 years. 

During the visit, Mukherjee will hold talks with His Majesty King Abdullah on ways to boost cooperation between the two countries and will review regional and international developments, the statement said.

The president will also meet with several senior officials during his visit to the Kingdom, including Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh.

He is also scheduled to meet members of the Indian community and friends of India in Jordan at a function, organised by India’s Ambassador to Jordan Anil Trigunayat.

The two countries are expected to sign several agreements during the visit.

Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi visited Jordan in 1988, while Their Majesties King Abdullah and Queen Rania visited India in 2006. 

The Indian president’s visit to Jordan, which comes upon an invitation from King Abdullah, underscores the desire of the two countries to further strengthen their ties, an embassy statement said.

The president will be accompanied by India’s Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Thaawar Chand Gehlot as well as several members of India’s parliament and the Indian academic community.

During the visit, the University of Jordan (UJ) will present an honorary doctorate in political science to the Indian president, according to a statement by the university.