New Delhi,
India and Jordan on Thursday agreed to deepen their security, counter terror and defence cooperation in formal talks held between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Jordanian King Abdullah .

The two sides signed a defence framework agreement to define the scope of such cooperation and make provisions for its implementation in areas like training; defence industry; military studies; cyber security; military medical services, peace-keeping and capacity building.

Interestingly, the King was given a presentation about India’s indigenous ALH-Dhruv (Advanced Light Helicopters) at the Palam Technical Airport on Wednesday before he flew to the NSG (National Security Guard) training centre in Manesar.

T S Tirumurti, Secretary Economic Relations in MEA, though clarified there is no procurement plans expressed by Jordan as of now. The King a qualified paratrooper himself and a cobra helicopter pilot, was trained at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in UK is known to take personal interest in defence areas.

The two sides also exchanged 11 other MoUs, including long-term rock phosphate and fertiliser supplies, a twining arrangement between the heritage sites of Agra and Petra, and an understanding to set up a Hindi chair at the University of Jordan.

“His Majesty commended the role India is playing in the region, We are looking at closer security cooperation keeping the influence Jordan has in the region,” added Tirumurti in context of India’s stand on Palestine and its West Asia outreach.