New Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday left for a three-nation diplomatic tour, beginning with an official visit to Jordan at the invitation of King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein.

The Prime Minister will be in Jordan from December 15 to 16, during which he will hold comprehensive discussions with King Abdullah II to review the full spectrum of India–Jordan bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and global developments. The visit holds special significance as it coincides with the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, a milestone expected to inject renewed momentum into bilateral engagement. PM Modi is also scheduled to interact with members of the Indian community in Jordan.

In his departure statement, the Prime Minister said the tour reflects India’s deep-rooted ties with the three nations.
“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 countries with which India shares age-old civilisational links as well as strong contemporary partnerships,” he said.

The second leg of the tour will take the Prime Minister to Ethiopia from December 16 to 17, marking his first-ever visit to the country. He will hold detailed talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali covering all aspects of bilateral cooperation. Addis Ababa, the capital city, also hosts the headquarters of the African Union.

Referring to the Ethiopia visit, PM Modi noted that the African Union’s inclusion as a permanent member of the G20 during India’s G20 Presidency in 2023 was a landmark development. In Addis Ababa, he will also engage with the Indian diaspora and address a Joint Session of the Ethiopian Parliament.
“I look forward to sharing my views on India’s journey as the ‘Mother of Democracy’ and the contribution that the India–Ethiopia partnership can make to the Global South,” he said.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the visit will reaffirm the shared commitment of both nations, as partners in the Global South, to deepen friendship and expand bilateral cooperation.

In the final leg of the tour, the Prime Minister will visit Oman from December 17 to 18 at the invitation of Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. This will be PM Modi’s second visit to the Sultanate.

“In Muscat, I look forward to discussions with His Majesty the Sultan of Oman to further strengthen our Strategic Partnership and deepen our commercial and economic ties. I will also address members of the Indian diaspora, who have played a vital role in Oman’s development and in strengthening our bilateral relationship,” the Prime Minister said.

The MEA noted that India and Oman share an all-encompassing Strategic Partnership, rooted in centuries-old ties of trade, friendship and strong people-to-people links. The visit coincides with 70 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries and follows the State visit of the Sultan of Oman to India in December 2023.

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During the visit, both sides are expected to review cooperation across key sectors including trade, investment, energy, defence, security, technology, agriculture and culture, while also exchanging views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.