New Delhi : The Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a pivotal four-day diplomatic tour to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman from December 15 to 18, 2025, in a major push to deepen India’s economic and strategic engagements across West Asia and Africa. The visit, extended by King Abdullah II of Jordan, Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde, and Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, comes at a time when India seeks to diversify exports and strengthen global alliances amid evolving geopolitical challenges.
Jordan: Expanding Trade, Water Security & Counter-Terrorism Cooperation
In Jordan, Modi will meet senior leadership to bolster cooperation in pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, and agricultural products. Bilateral trade has already touched $1.2 billion between April and August 2025, with ambitions to scale it to $5 billion by 2030.
Key agenda items include:
Water security partnerships, crucial for Jordan’s stability
Enhanced counter-terrorism coordination, given the nation’s strategic geographic role
Exploring Indian investment in desalination and irrigation tech
Ethiopia: Africa’s Growth Frontier and India’s Strategic Push
Modi’s visit to Ethiopia underscores India’s expanding footprint in Africa, where fast-growing digital economies and green energy ecosystems offer large opportunities. Modi is expected to address top CEOs and business groups on:
Digital public infrastructure (DPI) collaboration
Renewable energy investments
Agriculture and food-processing partnerships
India-Ethiopia trade, currently valued at $2 billion annually, is driven by coffee imports, IT exports, and growing manufacturing linkages.
Oman: CEPA Signing Likely to Transform Bilateral Trade
The final stop, Oman, is expected to be the highlight, with both sides gearing up for the possible signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The CEPA could propel bilateral trade from the current $12 billion to $20 billion by 2030, unlocking major opportunities in:
Energy cooperation
Logistics & port connectivity
Food security and mineral resources
Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, who met Modi last month, finalized key agenda items for the visit.
Diplomatic Momentum and Economic Vision
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar led the diplomatic preparations, while exporters’ bodies, including FIEO, praised the tour for its potential to boost MSME exports and open markets for textiles, engineering goods, and IT services.
The tour aligns with Modi’s Neighborhood First, Act East, and emerging “Link West” doctrines, designed to counter China’s Belt and Road influence and strengthen India’s presence as a multipolar strategic actor.
Diaspora Outreach and Cultural Diplomacy
Modi will also engage with the 4 million-strong Indian diaspora across these nations, emphasizing cultural ties and soft-power diplomacy—key elements of India’s foreign policy.
Criticism & Political Reactions
While supporters hail the visit as visionary diplomacy, the Opposition, including the Congress Party, questioned its timing amid domestic concerns. Government officials countered that the tour is crucial for India’s export diversification and resilience.
Long-Term Gains & Global Strategy
Economists estimate the visit could unlock up to $10 billion in investments across renewable energy, logistics, food processing, and digital economy sectors. The outreach is expected to bolster India’s goal of achieving $1 trillion in exports by 2030, positioning the nation as a bridge between Asia, Africa, and the Gulf.
As India navigates US tariffs, West Asian instability, and Russia-related sanctions, this high-level engagement reinforces New Delhi’s long-term geopolitical strategy and strengthens its global partnerships.
