New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday embarked on a three-nation tour covering Jordan, Ethiopia and Oman, aimed at strengthening India’s diplomatic engagement with West Asia and Africa, while deepening cooperation in trade, investment, energy, and regional security.
The visit underscores India’s growing focus on strategic partnerships beyond traditional allies, as New Delhi seeks to expand its global footprint amid shifting geopolitical and economic dynamics.
In Jordan, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to hold talks with King Abdullah II, with discussions expected to focus on regional stability in West Asia, counter-terrorism cooperation, and people-to-people ties. India and Jordan share close cultural and historical links, and the visit is seen as an opportunity to further enhance cooperation in areas such as education, tourism, and defence collaboration.
The Prime Minister’s visit to Ethiopia highlights India’s renewed push to strengthen relations with Africa, a continent of growing economic and strategic importance. Ethiopia, one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies and a key partner in the Horn of Africa, is expected to figure prominently in talks on trade, development cooperation, capacity building, and multilateral issues.
India has been a long-standing development partner for Ethiopia, particularly in sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare, and education. The visit is also expected to reinforce India’s commitment to Africa’s development priorities and South-South cooperation.
The final leg of the tour will take the Prime Minister to Oman, a key partner in the Gulf region. India and Oman enjoy strong ties anchored in energy cooperation, trade, maritime security, and a large Indian diaspora. Discussions are likely to focus on enhancing economic partnerships, investment flows, defence cooperation, and connectivity initiatives.
Oman’s strategic location near key shipping lanes makes it an important partner in India’s vision for maritime security and regional stability in the Indian Ocean region.
Officials describe the three-nation tour as part of India’s broader foreign policy approach aimed at balancing strategic interests, economic diplomacy, and cultural outreach. The visit is expected to yield agreements and understandings that will further India’s engagement with West Asia and Africa at a time when global supply chains, energy security, and regional cooperation are gaining renewed importance.
The tour reflects New Delhi’s intent to position India as a reliable partner across regions, leveraging diplomacy to support economic growth, security interests, and India’s role in shaping the evolving global order.