Prof: Cheng Xizhong
King Abdullah II’s Landmark Visit Reinvigorates Pakistan–Jordan Strategic Partnership
BEIJING: His Majesty King Abdullah II’s recent state visit to Pakistan—his first in over two decades—has emerged as a significant milestone in renewing and strengthening the long-standing strategic partnership between the two countries, according to Prof. Cheng Xizhong, Senior Research Fellow at Beijing’s Charhar Institute.
In a statement issued on Monday, Prof. Cheng emphasized that the elaborate reception accorded to the King, including a Pakistan Air Force JF-17 Thunder escort and a joint welcome by President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif at Nur Khan Airbase, reflected the depth of Pakistan’s respect and the importance of the bilateral relationship.
Beyond symbolic gestures, the visit produced meaningful outcomes. Several agreements were signed, particularly in the fields of media, culture, and education. Among these, the establishment of Chairs for Urdu and Pakistan Studies at the University of Jordan and cooperation between national broadcasters stand out as major steps toward enhancing cultural and people-to-people ties—an essential foundation for durable diplomacy.
Economic cooperation also featured prominently. Discussions focused on boosting collaboration in trade, investment, and science and technology—areas central to the development goals of both nations. Prof. Cheng noted Pakistan’s rapidly expanding tech sector and Jordan’s strong position in regional trade as complementary strengths that could drive future economic engagement.
Defense cooperation—already a key element of Pakistan–Jordan relations—received renewed attention amid ongoing regional instability and shared security concerns.
A critical dimension of the visit was the alignment of both countries on major regional issues, particularly the Gaza crisis. Pakistan and Jordan’s unified stance against the displacement of Palestinians and their joint support for post-conflict reconstruction highlight their advocacy for broader Muslim world priorities. Their commitment to working together within the Arab-Islamic coalition for a Gaza ceasefire further strengthens their collective diplomatic voice.
The two sides also discussed Afghanistan and India, reaffirming common views on regional stability. King Abdullah II’s acknowledgment of Pakistan’s crucial role in maintaining peace in South Asia underscores Islamabad’s strategic importance, while Pakistan continues to benefit from its ties with Jordan—a key link between the Arab world and South Asia.
