The relations between Jordan and Chad are rooted in a history of diplomatic ties, evolving through periods of regional conflict and cooperation. This article delves into the key events and factors shaping the relationship between these two nations.
Jordan has maintained close relations with the United States and the United Kingdom for many years. During the first Gulf War (1990), these relations were damaged by Jordan's neutrality and its maintenance of relations with Iraq. Later, Jordan restored its relations with Western countries through its participation in the enforcement of UN sanctions against Iraq and in the Southwest Asia peace process.
Chad is officially non-aligned but maintains close relations with France, its former colonial power, which has about 1,200 troops stationed in the capital N'Djamena. It receives economic aid from countries of the European Community, the United States, and various international organizations. Libya supplies aid and has an ambassador resident in N'Djamena.
The United States established diplomatic relations with Chad in 1960, following its independence from France. Relations between the United States and Chad are strong. Chad is emerging from half a century of regional conflict and internal turmoil and pursuing better governance and development.
Both countries share common membership of the International Criminal Court, and the World Trade Organization.
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Key Historical Events
Early Diplomatic Ties
Chad and Taiwan had relations from 1962 to 1972 when Chad first switched diplomatic recognition to the People's Republic of China. Chad then reestablished bilateral ties with Taiwan from 1997 to 2006.
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 8 October 1996.
Regional Conflicts and Cooperation
Chad suffers incursions by armed groups from Nigeria and Libya and hosted over 470,000 refugees as of May 2020, primarily from Sudan and the Central African Republic. The Chadian Government is taking steps to improve infrastructure and foster stability.
Chadian refugee camp in eastern Chad
Jordan views an independent Palestinian state with the 1967 borders, as part of the two-state solution and of supreme national interest. The ruling Hashemite dynasty has had custodianship over holy sites in Jerusalem since 1924, a position reinforced in the Israel-Jordan peace treaty. Jordan signed a non-aggression pact with Israel (the Washington Declaration) in Washington, D.C., on 25 July 1994. Israel captured East Jerusalem and the West Bank, which was annexed by Jordan since 1950, in 1967. Since 1967, Pakistan has been demanding its vacation at the international level.
Economic Relations
Chad is eligible for preferential trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act. Chad’s exports to the United States are dominated by oil, while imports from the United States include machinery, plastics, and cereals. Chad is favorably disposed to foreign investment, especially from North American companies.
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The GOC has made economic diversification away from oil a critical objective of its 2030 Vision and 2017-2021 NDP, focusing on agriculture, livestock, and minerals as key sectors for export development.
Challenges and Future Prospects
Jordan's political landscape has changed as a consequence of the conflict between Israel and Hamas from October 2023. Prime minister Bisher al Khasawneh expressed his country's disapproval of Israel's offensive in Gaza by recalling its ambassador from Israel and declared that Israel's ambassador, who had departed Amman following Hamas' attack, would not be permitted to return.
There is also evidence that there is more sympathy with Hamas among Jordanians in recent years. However, Jordan's Western allies view the kingdom as a potentially vital mediator, should Israel and Hamas agree to negotiate.
King Abdullah has been taking part in diplomatic meetings in Europe, aiming to secure safe passage of humanitarian aid; however, the government is also grappling with domestic problems such as inflation, unemployment, and trafficking of arms and drugs through Jordan to the West Bank. The king and Queen Rania have criticised Israel's action in Gaza and called for a ceasefire. Jordan's ambassador to Israel was recalled, and the Israeli ambassador was told to stay away.
Chad's foreign relations are significantly influenced by the desire for oil revenue and investment in the Chadian oil industry and support for former Chadian President Idriss Déby. Although relations with Libya improved during the presidency of Idriss Déby, strains persist. The conflict in the border region of Darfur has become an increasingly bi-national affair as increasing numbers of Sudanese flee to refugee camps in Chad, and Sudanese government troops and militias cross the borders to strike at both these camps and specific ethnic groups.
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President Donald Trump issued a proclamation on September 24, 2017, suspending the entry of Chadian nationals to the United States.
Despite these challenges, both Jordan and Chad continue to seek opportunities for cooperation and development.
Jordan and Israel have had official relations since 1994, when their leaders signed a peace treaty. Historically, Jordan has had relatively warm relations with Israel compared to other Arab nations.
Despite periodic crises of confidence and lingering Iraqi resentment over Jordan's close ties with Saddam Hussein, the two countries have managed to forge deep ties, in fact, Jordan has taken the lead among Arab states to do so. The economic impact of the Iraq crisis in Jordan has been mixed. Jordan has benefited greatly from serving as a "gateway" to Iraq for governments, aid workers, contractors, and businesspeople, the real estate and banking sectors are booming, and it stands to reap more benefits from increased trade and transport should the situation in Iraq improve.
Kuwait's relations with Jordan weakened during the Gulf War because of Jordan's stand with Iraq. However, the two nations have apparently decided to bury the past.
The preliminary and initial forms of Pakistan-Jordan contact can date as early as up to the 1970s and 1980s, although associations have risen at firmer altitudes since the mid-1990s up to 2000. In 2001, some prominent Pakistani leaders completed a visit to Amman, where they discussed with leaders of Jordan about pledging full-scale cooperations.
Relations between Jordan and Syria have fluctuated widely between normal diplomatic relations and full armed confrontation. At times, each side has attempted to subvert the other and has supported and provided refuge to the other's internal opposition groups.
On February 3, 2025, the Jordan Chamber of Commerce and the Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance trade and economic cooperation.
In May 2008, King Abdullah II visited Brunei, to bolster ties between Jordan and the southeast Asian nation, as well as discuss issues facing the Muslim world.
Jordan has an embassy in Rome accredited to the Holy See. The Holy See has maintained comparatively good relations with Jordan. The name of the country comes from the Jordan River, which is significant to Christians because it was the place where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist.
Indian tourists visited Jordan in large numbers in 2010, with nearly 51,000 visitors. Apart from this, military, cultural and economic exchanges between the two nations is widespread. Quoting the Indian Foreign Ministry, 'India was the largest export partner and ninth largest import partner of Jordan in 2008. The trade turnover between the two countries stood at US$1.785 billion in 2008 i.e. Jordan's imports from India stood at about US$503 million in 2008 while its exports to India reached at US$1.283 billion in 2008. India's position in 2009 is third and fifteenth respectively as the trade turnover between the two countries stood at US$983 million in 2009 i.e. India's exports to Jordan in 2009 stood at US$297 million while imports were valued at US$686 million. In 2010, the India-Jordan trade volume stood at US$1.16 billion i.e. India's exports to Jordan stood at US$382 million in 2010 while imports were to the tune of US$783 million in 2010.'
Jordan is also a member of the Non-Aligned Movement and has thus forged close relations with India.
Jordan maintains an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate-general in Dubai.
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