MUSCAT [Oman], December 17 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Oman on Wednesday, marking the final leg of his three-nation, four-day tour following visits to Jordan and Ethiopia.
Earlier in the day, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali accorded a rare honour to PM Modi by personally driving him to the airport for his departure to Oman. Abiy shared a message on social media, saying, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, I hope we will get an opportunity to meet again. Our nations will always be connected by historical, cultural and diplomatic ties.”
PM Modi is visiting Oman at the invitation of Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. During the visit, the two leaders are expected to discuss strengthening the Strategic Partnership and expanding cooperation in commercial and economic sectors. The visit coincides with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Oman and follows Sultan Haitham bin Tarik’s state visit to India in December 2023. PM Modi is also scheduled to address members of the Indian diaspora in Oman. This marks his second visit to the Gulf nation.
In an earlier statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said, “This visit will be an opportunity for both sides to comprehensively review the bilateral partnership, including trade, investment, energy, defence, security, technology, agriculture and culture, as well as exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.”
PM Modi’s Ethiopia visit, his first to the East African nation, was a key moment in bilateral relations as India and Ethiopia elevated their ties to a Strategic Partnership. The visit featured extensive discussions with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali and the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding in sectors such as UN Peacekeeping Operations Training, Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters, and the establishment of a Data Centre at Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Both sides also announced measures including debt restructuring under the G20 framework, increased Indian Council for Cultural Relations scholarships, AI short courses for Ethiopian learners, and collaboration in maternal and neonatal healthcare.
Beyond bilateral agreements, PM Modi addressed a joint session of the Ethiopian Parliament, describing India and Ethiopia as “natural partners” in promoting regional peace, security, and connectivity. It marked the 18th parliament worldwide addressed by PM Modi. Following the address, he shared on X, “Delighted to have interacted with Ministers and MPs of Ethiopia after my address to the Ethiopian Parliament.”
During his Ethiopia visit, PM Modi was conferred with Ethiopia’s highest civilian honour, The Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia, becoming the first global head of state to receive the award. He also planted a sapling at the Ethiopian House of People’s Representatives under India’s ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative and Ethiopia’s Green Legacy initiative. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted on X, “Two nations, two traditions, one shared promise to honour our Mother Earth and build a greener future.”
PM Modi highlighted the outcomes of his Ethiopia visit as a “significant” step towards deepening a bilateral partnership focused on “growth and people-centric development.”
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