NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday embarked on a three-nation tour to Jordan, Ethiopia and Oman. The visit aims at strengthening India’s bilateral ties and its engagement with key partners across West Asia and Africa.
Ahead of his departure, Prime Minister Modi said the visit would underscore India’s age-old civilizational connections and contemporary partnerships with the three countries. “Today, 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,” he said.
Jordan visit marks 75 years of ties
In the first leg of the tour, PM Modi will visit Jordan at the invitation of King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein. During his two-day stay, the Prime Minister is scheduled to hold talks with King Abdullah II to review the full spectrum of India-Jordan relations and exchange views on regional developments.
The visit marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Jordan. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the visit will provide an opportunity to deepen bilateral engagement. It aims to explore new avenues of cooperation for mutual growth and prosperity. The visit will reaffirm India’s commitment to regional peace, security and stability.
PM Modi’s first-ever visit to Ethiopia
The second leg of the tour will include PM Modi’s visit to Ethiopia from December 16 at the invitation of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali. This will be the Prime Minister’s first visit to the African nation.
During the visit, PM Modi will hold wide-ranging discussions with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on all aspects of India-Ethiopia bilateral relations. The MEA said the visit reflects the shared commitment of both countries to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
Ahead of the visit, India’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Anil Kumar Rai highlighted the “long-standing, deep and friendly relationship” between India and Ethiopia, noting that both countries are important partners on global issues and members of the BRICS grouping.
Oman visit to mark 70 years of relations
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 the Prime Minister’s second visit to the Gulf nation.
The visit will coincide with 70 years of diplomatic relations between India and Oman and follows the state visit of the Sultan of Oman to India in December 2023. Both sides are expected to comprehensively review their bilateral partnership, exchanging views on regional and global issues. The talks will cover a variety of areas, such as trade, investment, energy, defence, security, technology, agriculture and culture.
In its statement, the MEA said, “India and Oman share an all-encompassing Strategic Partnership underpinned by centuries-old bonds of friendship, trade linkages and strong people-to-people ties.”
Agencies
PM Modi embarks on three-nation tour to Jordan, Ethiopia & Oman
