PM Modi’s Three-Nation Tour to Jordan, Ethiopia and Oman: A Strategic Push Across West Asia and Africa

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a significant four-day diplomatic tour from December 15 to 18, 2025, covering Jordan, Ethiopia and Oman. The visit reflects India’s expanding global footprint and its intention to strengthen political, strategic, and economic partnerships across two crucial regions—West Asia and Africa. With shifting geopolitical dynamics and the emergence of new regional blocs, the tour highlights India’s proactive engagement with partners that contribute to its long-term security, trade, and development goals.

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Jordan: Renewing a Longstanding Partnership in West Asia

Prime Minister Modi’s first stop will be Jordan, where he will be hosted by King Abdullah II on December 15–16. The visit is symbolically important as India and Jordan celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations, a milestone that underscores deepening cooperation. During the talks, both leaders are expected to review the full spectrum of bilateral engagement, ranging from trade and investment to cultural exchanges and security cooperation.

Jordan’s moderate role in West Asian politics and its geopolitical significance make it a valuable partner for India. The country’s position in the broader Israel–Palestine landscape, and its stabilizing influence in a turbulent region, provide a strategic dimension to the engagement. India sees Jordan as a trusted interlocutor in West Asia, and discussions are likely to touch upon regional developments, energy collaboration, and emerging sectors such as digital services and renewable technology.

Bilateral trade between the two countries has seen a steady rise, with strong complementarities in chemicals, fertilizers, textiles, and engineering goods. As both nations explore new avenues of cooperation, the visit is expected to energize economic and political ties while reinforcing India’s commitment to a peaceful and stable West Asia.

Ethiopia: Strengthening Ties With an Emerging African Power

From Jordan, Prime Minister Modi will proceed to Ethiopia on December 16–17. This will be his first official visit to the East African nation, a country that has rapidly transformed into one of Africa’s most promising economies. He will meet Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali, with whom he will discuss a comprehensive agenda aimed at boosting India-Ethiopia relations.

India’s ties with Ethiopia are rooted in cooperation, development, and shared aspirations as members of the Global South. The two countries collaborate in areas such as agriculture, capacity building, education, digital public infrastructure, and industrial development. Ethiopia’s growing demand for technological solutions and India’s strengths in ICT, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing create natural partnerships that both governments aim to expand.

The visit also aligns with India’s broader policy of deepening engagement in Africa, a region where global competition is intensifying. Ethiopia, with its strategic location and economic potential, offers India an opportunity to play a constructive role in regional development. Discussions during the visit are expected to cover development partnerships, trade facilitation, connectivity initiatives, and support for sectors critical to Ethiopia’s growth.

Oman: Expanding Economic and Strategic Cooperation

The final stop of the tour will be Oman from December 17–18, where Prime Minister Modi will meet Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. India and Oman share a relationship built on centuries of maritime contact, cultural exchange, and strategic cooperation. Diplomatic relations established in 1955 have evolved into a robust Strategic Partnership, supported by economic interdependence and strong defence ties.

A key highlight of this leg of the visit is the expected progress on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between India and Oman. Reports indicate that the deal, once formalized, could significantly expand trade volumes, attract investments, and diversify cooperation beyond traditional sectors such as oil and gas. The agreement is expected to open new opportunities in manufacturing, food processing, technology, logistics, and services.

Oman’s geographical position, close to critical maritime routes, enhances its strategic relevance for India’s energy security and naval outreach. Discussions are likely to cover defence collaboration, maritime connectivity, energy transition, technology transfer, climate resilience, and food security. With a large Indian expatriate community contributing to Oman’s socio-economic landscape, people-to-people ties add further depth to the relationship.

The MGMM Outlook

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming three-nation tour to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman highlights India’s growing diplomatic confidence and its commitment to shaping a stable, collaborative global order. The engagements in Jordan and Ethiopia reinforce India’s focus on building meaningful partnerships across West Asia and Africa—regions that are becoming increasingly significant for security, energy, technology, and development. The visit to Jordan marks a celebration of 75 years of diplomatic ties while opening doors for deeper coordination on regional stability, trade, and emerging sectors like digital and renewable technologies. Ethiopia, with its rising economic potential, offers India an opportunity to strengthen development cooperation, expand trade, and support digital transformation across the African continent. These strategic interactions reflect India’s evolving leadership role within the Global South.

The Oman leg of the tour brings added strategic weight as negotiations on the India–Oman CEPA move closer to finalization, promising expanded trade, investment flow, and diversification into high-growth sectors. Oman’s position along vital maritime routes enhances India’s energy and security architecture, making this partnership crucial for long-term regional influence. Across all three visits, the tour signals India’s intent to foster deeper people-centric ties, enhance connectivity, and build resilient economic and security frameworks with trusted partners. It underscores a larger vision of elevating India’s presence in regions shaping the next phase of global geopolitics.

(Sources: Firstpost, LiveMint, India Today)