Prime Minister Modi Concludes Middle East Tour with Visit to Oman

Modi's Arrival in Oman

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Oman, marking the final leg of his four-day tour across three nations, which included visits to Jordan and Ethiopia. Earlier that day, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali honored Modi by personally escorting him to the airport for his departure to Oman. Following Modi's exit, Abiy shared a message on social media expressing hope for future meetings, emphasizing the enduring historical, cultural, and diplomatic ties between their nations.

Significance of the Oman Visit

This trip to Oman coincides with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Oman and follows Sultan Haitham bin Tariq's state visit to India in December 2023. During his stay, Modi is expected to address the Indian expatriate community residing in Oman. This marks his second visit to the Gulf nation. According to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs, the visit will provide an opportunity to comprehensively review bilateral partnerships across various sectors, including trade, investment, energy, defense, security, technology, agriculture, and culture, while also exchanging views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.

Strengthening Ties with Ethiopia

Modi's recent trip to Ethiopia, which was his first to the East African nation, marked a significant turning point in bilateral relations, as India and Ethiopia elevated their long-standing partnership to a 'strategic partnership' level. The visit included extensive discussions between Modi and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, resulting in the exchange of several agreements across various sectors. These agreements encompassed cooperation in training for United Nations peacekeeping missions, mutual administrative assistance in customs matters, and the establishment of a data center within Ethiopia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.