Indian PM Narendra Modi arrives in Amman on first leg of three-nation tour

Amman [Jordan], December 16 (HBTV): Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Amman on Monday for a two-day visit to Jordan, marking the first leg of his three-nation tour. He was received on arrival by Jordanian Prime Minister Jafar Hassan.

The visit is taking place at the invitation of King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein and is aimed at advancing bilateral relations between India and Jordan. Prime Minister Modi departed from New Delhi earlier in the day to begin the multi-country engagement.

During his stay from December 15 to 16, the Prime Minister is scheduled to hold talks with King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein to review the full spectrum of India–Jordan ties and to exchange views on key regional developments. The visit assumes added significance as it coincides with the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, a milestone expected to further energise bilateral cooperation.

Prime Minister Modi is also expected to interact with members of the Indian community in Jordan during the visit.

In his departure statement, the Prime Minister said, ‘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 civilisational ties, as well as extensive contemporary bilateral relations.’

After concluding the Jordan leg, Prime Minister Modi will travel to Ethiopia from December 16 to 17, marking his first-ever visit to the African nation. In Addis Ababa, he is expected to hold detailed discussions with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali on various aspects of bilateral cooperation. Addis Ababa also hosts the headquarters of the African Union.

Referring to the Ethiopia visit, the Prime Minister said he would hold detailed discussions with Abiy Ahmed Ali and meet members of the Indian diaspora. He is also scheduled to address a joint session of the Ethiopian Parliament. ‘I eagerly look forward to sharing my thoughts on India’s journey as the Mother of Democracy and the value that the India–Ethiopia partnership can bring to the Global South,’ he said.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the Ethiopia visit will reaffirm the shared commitment of both countries, as partners in the Global South, to further strengthen friendship and bilateral engagement.

The final leg of the tour will see Prime Minister Modi visit Oman from December 17 to 18 at the invitation of Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, marking his second visit to the country. ‘In Muscat, I look forward to my discussions with His Majesty the Sultan of Oman, and towards strengthening our Strategic Partnership as well as our strong commercial and economic relationship,’ the Prime Minister said, adding that he would also address a gathering of the Indian diaspora in Oman.

The MEA noted that India and Oman share an all-encompassing Strategic Partnership anchored in centuries-old ties of friendship, trade and strong people-to-people relations. The visit coincides with 70 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries and follows the Sultan of Oman’s state visit to India in December 2023. Both sides are expected to undertake a comprehensive review of cooperation across sectors including trade, investment, energy, defence, security, technology, agriculture and culture, along with regional and global issues of mutual interest. (ANI)