Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday began a three-nation diplomatic tour with his departure from New Delhi, signalling India’s renewed outreach to West Asia and Africa. The visit will take him to Jordan, Ethiopia and Oman, countries with which India shares long-standing civilisational links and expanding contemporary partnerships.
Jordan Visit Marks 75 Years Of Diplomatic Ties
The Prime Minister’s first stop is Jordan, where he will be in Amman from December 15 to 16 at the invitation of King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein. During the visit, PM Modi is scheduled to hold talks with the Jordanian monarch to review the entire spectrum of India–Jordan relations and exchange views on regional developments.
The visit coincides with the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Jordan, a milestone expected to inject fresh momentum into bilateral engagement. PM Modi will also interact with members of the Indian community in Jordan.
In his departure statement, the Prime Minister said,
“I am embarking on a three-nation visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Sultanate of Oman, three nations with which India shares both age-old civilizational ties, as well as extensive contemporary bilateral relations.”
First-Ever Visit To Ethiopia
In the second leg of the tour, PM Modi will travel to Ethiopia from December 16 to 17, marking his first visit to the African nation. He will hold detailed discussions with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali on all aspects of bilateral ties. Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, also hosts the headquarters of the African Union.
Speaking about the Ethiopia visit, PM Modi said, “I will pay my first visit to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Addis Ababa is also the headquarters of the African Union. In 2023, during India’s G20 Presidency, the African Union was admitted as a permanent member of the G20.”
He added that he would hold detailed talks with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali and meet members of the Indian diaspora in Ethiopia.
PM Modi is also scheduled to address a joint session of the Ethiopian Parliament, during which he said he looks forward to sharing “My thoughts on India’s journey as the ‘Mother of Democracy’ and the value that the India-Ethiopia partnership can bring to the Global South.”
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the visit would reaffirm the shared commitment of both countries, as partners in the Global South, to deepen friendship and bilateral cooperation.
Oman Visit To Focus On Strategic Partnership
In the final leg of the tour, PM Modi will visit Oman from December 17 to 18 at the invitation of Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. This will be his second visit to the Gulf nation.
“In Muscat, I look forward to my discussions with His Majesty the Sultan of Oman, and towards strengthening our Strategic Partnership as well as our strong commercial and economic relationship,” the Prime Minister said.
He also noted that he would address a gathering of the Indian diaspora, which has played a significant role in Oman’s development and in strengthening bilateral ties.
The MEA highlighted that India and Oman share an all-encompassing Strategic Partnership rooted in centuries-old ties of friendship, trade and people-to-people links. The visit coincides with 70 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries and follows the Sultan of Oman’s state visit to India in December 2023.
During the Oman leg, both sides are expected to comprehensively review cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, energy, defence, security, technology, agriculture and culture, while also exchanging views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
