This article covers cultural relations, education and the Indian community in Jordan, as described in the MEA bilateral brief of June 2026. Figures for students and alumni are the estimates the brief gives.
Cultural agreements
According to the MEA brief of June 2026, a cultural exchange agreement between India and Jordan for the period 2015-17 was signed during the visit of the President. The agreement on the Cultural Exchange Programme for the years 2025-2029 was renewed during the Prime Minister's visit to Jordan in December 2025.
Cultural events and exchanges
The brief records a regular exchange of cultural troupes between the two countries. Recent exchanges include:
- In July 2024, the ICCR-sponsored "Natraj Sanskritik Silpi Samaj" cultural troupe performed Assamese folk dance at the 38th Jerash festival of Culture and Arts.
- The Amaiza Dance Troupe took part in the 39th Jerash festival of Culture and Arts in July 2025. The Mission, with M/s Classic Fashion, owned by an NRI, also arranged a performance by the troupe at the Jordan Industrial Estates Company (JIEC) Hall in Ramtha, Irbid.
- A Jordanian artist took part in the Surajkund International Crafts Mela in February 2023. In February 2026, a local band of popular folklore and traditional craftsmen from Jordan took part in the same Mela.
The brief describes the Jerash festival as the signature cultural festival of Jordan.
Indian cinema in Jordan
The brief states that there is immense interest in Jordan in Indian art and culture, and that Bollywood films and actors are popular in Jordanian households. A few Bollywood films have been shot in Jordan, most recently "Bade Miyaan Chote Miyaan", released in 2024. The Malayalam film "AaduJeevitham" was filmed in Jordan in March-April 2020, during the Covid pandemic.
On 16-17 February 2026, the Mission and the Royal Film Commission of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan organised a two-day Indian film festival at the Rainbow Theater. It screened RRR and English Vinglish with Arabic subtitles and was attended by around 320 people, including Jordanians, members of the diplomatic and business community, the Indian diaspora, the media and the Royal Film Commission.
Yoga, India studies and other events
The Mission celebrates the International Day of Yoga every year on 21 June. IDY 2025 was held in the Royal Botanic Garden under the auspices of, and with the participation of, Her Royal Highness Princess Basma Bint Ali.
On 31 October 2021, the Ambassador inaugurated an "India Study Center" at the University Library of Isra University, Amman. Its purpose is to enhance knowledge and understanding of India and Indian society among academics and students.
As part of the "Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav" celebrations in Jordan, the Embassy organised a series of activities. These included a special lecture and tree plantation drive at Isra University, a book exhibition week, an NRI interaction, a cultural festival and handloom fashion show, a film festival, an Independence Day Cup cricket match, an Indian food festival and seminars.
Education
The brief states that educational and cultural exchanges further enhance people-to-people interactions. It gives the following figures:
- about 2500 Jordanian alumni of Indian universities in Jordan
- about 500 Jordanian students pursuing studies in India
- four ICCR scholarships utilised in the financial year 2025-26
The Indian community
The brief lists the following Indian community and friendship associations, which it says actively organise socio-cultural events across Jordanian society:
- Indian Community in Jordan (ICJ)
- Bharatiya Samaj in Jordan (BSJ)
- Jordan India Friendship Society (JIFS)
- Indian Community Association in Aqaba
- Jordan-India Alumni Association
- Indian Women Association
Community events
On 26 September 2025, the Mission and diaspora members organised a "Viksit Bharat Run" at Sports City, Madinat Al Hussein, Amman. On 27 September 2025, the Mission and Al Balqa Applied University held a plantation drive in Irbid under the "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" campaign, with Indian diaspora members and the Dean, faculty and students of the University.
In September 2024, under the Plant for Mother campaign, the Mission and Indian community members organised a tree plantation drive in Zayy in Balqa Governorate, in which Senator Dr Zuheir Abu Faris took part. The second edition of the Indian Community Jordan Cricket Tournament was held in September-October 2024, in association with M/s Classic Fashions.