Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit in December 2025 to Jordan, Ethiopia and Oman marked a significant moment in India’s evolving engagement with the Global South, reflecting a diplomatic approach that combines historical solidarity with contemporary strategic interests. At a time when global power structures are in flux and developing nations seek greater voice in international decision-making, India’s outreach to West Asia and Africa underscores its aspiration to act as a credible partner rather than a prescriptive power. The visits highlighted India’s intent to strengthen political trust, expand economic cooperation, and deepen people-to-people ties, while reinforcing a shared developmental narrative rooted in mutual respect and non-interference.

Jordan occupies a unique position in West Asia, acting as a bridge between regions often marked by instability. PM Modi’s visit to Amman, the political and cultural capital of Jordan, carried particular diplomatic significance. Amman has long functioned as a hub for regional dialogue, humanitarian coordination, and political mediation, and India’s engagement at this level reaffirmed its commitment to constructive diplomacy in West Asia. The visit underscored India’s recognition of Jordan as a moderate and stabilizing force in a region shaped by prolonged conflict and geopolitical contestation.

The engagement with Jordan reaffirmed India’s long-standing ties with the Arab world, grounded in civilizational exchanges, trade links, and cultural interaction. Jordan’s role as a voice of moderation aligns closely with India’s own emphasis on dialogue, restraint, and peaceful coexistence. Discussions during the visit focused on political cooperation, counterterrorism, and regional security, areas where both countries confront overlapping challenges. India’s approach emphasized cooperation without militarization, highlighting its preference for stability through institutional strengthening and inclusive governance rather than coercive interventions.

Economic engagement formed a central pillar of the India–Jordan dialogue. The visit sought to expand bilateral trade, particularly in pharmaceuticals, information technology, fertilizers, and renewable energy. Jordan’s strategic location offers Indian businesses access to wider West Asian and Mediterranean markets, while Indian expertise in affordable healthcare, digital public infrastructure, and skill development aligns well with Jordan’s developmental priorities. This economic partnership reflects India’s broader Global South strategy of promoting sustainable growth through capacity building and technology sharing rather than extractive or dependency-driven models.

Cultural and educational cooperation further reinforced the bilateral relationship during the Amman visit. India’s soft power, expressed through yoga, traditional medicine, cinema, and academic exchanges, has found increasing resonance in Jordanian society. Modi's emphasis on civilizational links and shared values projected India as a nation that respects cultural plurality and historical continuity. Such engagement strengthens people-to-people connections, which remain a durable foundation for long-term diplomatic relations, particularly within the Global South where historical memory of colonial exploitation continues to shape political consciousness.

PM Modi’s subsequent engagement with Oman added another important dimension to its West Asia outreach. Oman has traditionally been one of India’s most reliable and trusted partners in the Gulf, marked by historical maritime links, robust people-to-people ties, and strategic cooperation. The visit reinforced the India–Oman relationship as one rooted in mutual trust, political understanding, and regional stability.

Discussions with Omani leadership focused on defence cooperation, maritime security, and economic collaboration. Oman’s strategic location along key sea lanes of the Indian Ocean give it critical importance for India’s maritime interests, particularly in ensuring the security of energy supplies and freedom of navigation. Defence cooperation, including access to ports and joint military exercises, reflects a shared commitment to maintaining stability in the Indian Ocean Region without escalating regional tensions.

Economic ties with Oman also received renewed attention during the visit. Energy cooperation remains a cornerstone of bilateral relations, with Oman serving as a dependable partner in India’s energy security framework. Beyond hydrocarbons, Modi emphasized expanding collaboration in renewable energy, green hydrogen, infrastructure, and digital technology. The presence of a large Indian diaspora in Oman further strengthens the relationship, contributing to both economies while acting as a living bridge between the two societies.

The visits to Jordan and Oman projected a balanced and diversified West Asia policy. While Jordan represents a stabilizing political voice in the Levant, Oman is widely respected for its independent foreign policy and quiet diplomacy in the Gulf. Together, these partnerships underscore India’s preference for moderation, dialogue, and strategic autonomy in a region often defined by polarization and conflict.

Commitment To Africa

The visit to Ethiopia carried even greater symbolic and strategic significance. Ethiopia is not only one of Africa’s oldest civilizations but also the seat of the African Union, making it central to continental diplomacy. By engaging Ethiopia at the highest political level, India signalled its commitment to Africa as a collective partner rather than limiting its outreach to resource-driven or narrowly commercial interests. The visit aligned with India’s vision of Africa as an equal stakeholder in shaping global governance rather than a passive recipient of aid.

India’s historical relationship with Ethiopia dates back to shared anti-colonial experiences and cooperation within the Non-Aligned Movement. PM Modi's visit revitalized this legacy by focusing on contemporary priorities such as infrastructure development, defence cooperation, education, and healthcare. Indian lines of credit, capacity-building initiatives, and development partnerships in Ethiopia illustrate India’s model of development cooperation, which emphasizes local ownership, skills transfer, and long-term sustainability. This approach contrasts with debt-intensive or politically conditional engagement models often criticized across the Global South.

Trade and investment featured prominently in discussions with Ethiopian leadership. India is among the largest foreign investors in Ethiopia, particularly in manufacturing, agriculture, and textiles. The visit aimed to encourage further private sector participation while addressing operational challenges faced by Indian businesses. By advocating stable policy environments, local employment generation, and skill development, India positioned itself as a partner invested in Ethiopia’s industrial transformation rather than short-term profit extraction.

The Ethiopia visit also reinforced India’s role as a voice for the Global South in multilateral forums. As Africa seeks greater representation in global institutions, India’s consistent advocacy for reforms in the United Nations Security Council and international financial institutions resonates strongly across the continent. Modi reiterated India’s support for Africa’s demand for equitable representation, reflecting a shared belief that global governance structures must evolve to reflect contemporary realities instead of post-war hierarchies.

Together, the visits to Amman, Muscat and Addis Ababa highlighted India’s balanced diplomacy across West Asia and Africa, linking both regions through a shared Global South framework. India’s engagement strategy emphasizes dialogue, development, and dignity, seeking partnerships responsive to local priorities. This approach enhances India’s credibility as a country that understands post-colonial developmental challenges and offers cooperation without coercion or ideological imposition.

In a broader sense, PM Modi’s visits reinforced India’s emerging role as a bridge between developing nations and the wider international system. By engaging Jordan, Ethiopia and Oman, India demonstrated its capacity to operate across geopolitical divides while remaining anchored in Global South solidarity. These visits were not isolated diplomatic events but part of a sustained effort to reshape international engagement through inclusivity, responsibility, and shared growth. As global uncertainties persist, India’s outreach to West Asia and Africa strengthens its claim to leadership rooted in partnership and a collective vision for a more equitable world order.

( The writer is a Research Scholar in the Department of English at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, India. Views expressed are personal. She can be contacted at anubham95@gmail.com).