Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for coming for this special briefing by Secretary (South) Dr. Neena Malhotra and Secretary (CPV & OIA) Shri Arun Chatterjee on Prime Minister's upcoming visits to Jordan, Ethiopia and Oman. For this briefing, we are also assisted by Additional Secretary (Gulf) Shri Aseem Mahajan, Joint Secretary (WANA) Shri Suresh Kumar, and Joint Secretary (East and Southern Africa Division) Shri Janesh Kain.

With that, first I will invite Secretary (South) to give you an overview as to what lies ahead on Prime Minister's upcoming visit to Jordan, Ethiopia.

Dr. Neena Malhotra, Secretary (South): Thank you, Randhir. Namaskar, Good Evening, and thanks for your presence here.

Let me begin with the Jordan leg, first. At the invitation of His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will embark on a bilateral visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan from December 15 - 16, 2025. This will be Prime Minister's first full-fledged bilateral visit to Jordan which is coinciding with the 75th year of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Jordan.

Some of you may recall, earlier Prime Minister Shri Modi had transited through Jordan in February 2018, while on his way to the State of Palestine. Even though it was a transit visit, exceptional courtesies were accorded to him by His Majesty the King, making it more than just a transit visit. This, the current full bilateral visit is taking place after an interval of 37 years.

India and Jordan share warm and friendly relations marked by mutual trust and goodwill. The relationship spans across sectors including political, economic, defense, and strong people-to-people ties.

Our bilateral relations are marked by strong understanding at the leadership level. Since the last visit of His Majesty in 2018, both the leaders have met four times with the latest being on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Italy in June 2024. The leaders are in touch with each other telephonically as well, and both the leaders also spoke recently in April 2025 after the ghastly Pahalgam terror attacks, during which His Majesty condemned the terror attacks, and said that terrorism should be rejected in all its forms and manifestations. His Majesty also reiterated his support for India's fight against terrorism and both countries have cooperated in counter-terrorism including by India's participation in the initiatives launched by His Majesty such as the Aqaba process.

India and Jordan also share strong economic ties with India being the third largest trading partner of Jordan, and the bilateral trade between the two countries is valued at 2.8 billion dollars. Jordan is also a leading supplier of fertilizers for us, particularly phosphates and potash. There is also a joint venture named Jordan India Fertilizer Company (JIFCO) with an investment of 860 million dollars between IFFCO of India and Jordan Phosphates Mines Company (JPMC) of Jordan.

In the field of investment, there are around 15 garment companies with an investment of 500 million dollars located in the qualified industrial zones of Jordan.

Jordan is home to a vibrant Indian diaspora of over 17,500 who are employed in different sectors such as textiles, construction, manufacturing and others. As regards connectivity, Royal Jordanian has recently started direct flights between Amman and Mumbai, and plans to expand their operations to New Delhi. Jordan provides tourist visa on arrival to Indian tourists and have recently started electronic visa.

As regards the program of the visit, Prime Minister will arrive in Amman on 15th of December. On the same day, he will meet His Majesty King Abdullah II for a one-on-one talk, to be followed by delegation level talks. On the next day, Prime Minister and the King are expected to address the India-Jordan business event to be attended by leading businessmen from both sides.

Prime Minister will also interact with the vibrant Indian community in Jordan and along with Crown Prince, Prime Minister will visit the historic city of Petra, a city which shares ancient trade linkages with India, weather permitting of course. From there, he will emplane for the second leg of the visit, that is Ethiopia. As regards Ethiopia, the dates are 16th - 17th of December 2025. It's a State Visit to Ethiopia, it's at the invitation of the Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed, and this is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister since 2011.

Ethiopia is an important and trusted partner in Global South and the African context. The Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed has been a prominent participant and key speaker during the past editions of the Voice of Global South. The current visit reflects India's commitment towards deepening South-South cooperation and strengthening of partnership with Africa.

The visit will also help consolidate cooperation across a broad spectrum of areas including economy, trade, culture, and people-to-people contacts. On the economic front, discussions are expected to focus on diversifying trade, enhancing connectivity, and identifying new opportunities for investment in infrastructure, IT, mining, agriculture and manufacturing.

India and Ethiopia share a long history of partnership in the sector of education, skilling, and capacity building. India has been offering scholarship and training opportunities to Ethiopian students and professionals through ITEC and ICCR scholarships. Here it is worth mentioning that several of the presidents or vice presidents, which are equivalent to vice chancellors or registrars of Indian universities in Ethiopia, they have studied in India under ICCR and other government-sponsored scholarship schemes. Therefore, ITEC continues to be a vital platform for skill upgradation and re-skilling for human resource development in Ethiopia.

Climate action will be another important pillar of cooperation. India continues to support Ethiopia's renewable energy initiatives through the International Solar Alliance and International Solar Alliance engagement in Ethiopia has progressed substantially with several initiatives such as the establishment of Solar Technology Application Resource Center (STARC) at Addis Ababa University. Also, completion of Ethiopia's first ever grid connected solar rooftop and many other such activities.

As regards the program in Ethiopia, the Prime Minister will have one-on-one and delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed. There will be an address to the joint session of the Parliament by our Prime Minister. There is an interaction with the Indian community and some other activities. The visit will also reinforce the strong role of Indian diaspora in Ethiopia serving as a natural bridge between the two countries.

During the visit of Honorable Prime Minister, a number of MoUs and agreements are expected to be signed. These will strengthen our multifaceted partnership, expand development cooperation and open new avenues of collaboration between two countries.

The visit reaffirms India's role as a trusted and long-term partner for Ethiopia. India remains committed to working with Ethiopia to build a stable, secure and inclusive global order and in advancing Africa's priorities in line with Agenda 2063 and common global objectives. We feel that the upcoming visit is expected to give renewed momentum to bilateral ties and chart new pathways for cooperation in the years ahead.

I shall stop here and take a few questions.

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Thank you, Ma'am. Now, I invite Secretary (CPV & OIA) to brief us on Prime Minister's upcoming visit to Oman.

Shri Arun Chatterjee, Secretary (CPV & OIA): Thank you, Randhir. Namaskar and Good evening to all of you. It's indeed a great pleasure to meet you all and to inform you about the forthcoming visit of the Hon'ble Prime Minister to Oman.

I start off where Secretary South has ended. At the invitation of the Head of State of the Sultanate of Oman, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will be visiting Oman on 17 and 18 December 2025. Prime Minister will be accompanied by a high-level delegation. This is the second visit of Prime Minister to the Sultanate of Oman, after his last visit in February 2018. It also follows the State visit of His Majesty the Sultan of Oman to India in December 2023. This visit is of great significance as it will be taking place when India and Oman are together celebrating the 70th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations.

As mentioned earlier, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik paid a State visit to India in December 2023. Prime Minister and His Majesty the Sultan had together agreed on a future roadmap to deepen ties between the two countries. I can inform you that various initiatives have already been taken under this, and also some are under implementation.

Friends, India shares a special partnership with the Sultanate of Oman, built on centuries-old contacts, and underpinned by trade linkages and people-to-people ties. In modern times, our relationship has evolved into a strategic partnership characterized by robust cooperation in diverse areas.

There exists excellent political relations between India and Oman. The frequent visits at the highest level, followed up by ministerial and official-level interactions, signify the depth of our bilateral partnership. One of our oldest strategic partners in the Gulf region, India's relations with Oman are all-encompassing and spans diverse fields such as trade and investment, maritime cooperation and connectivity, energy security and green energy, agriculture and food security, health, defense and security, technology and culture. I will briefly delve on some of these areas of bilateral cooperation.

Trade and investment relations are key pillars of our relations with Oman. Our bilateral trade for FY 2024-2025 stands at USD 10.61 billion. Bilateral investment flows have also been robust, as reflected in the numerous joint ventures established both in India and Oman. There are several India-Oman joint ventures present in Oman contributing to the country's economic growth and development.

India and Oman have cooperation in the defense sector which includes joint exercises, training, and exchange of visits. In recent years, both countries have cooperated in ensuring maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region.

Oman has a vibrant Indian community of over 675,000 who call Oman their second home and have made a meaningful contribution to the development of the Omani economy. They serve as a living bridge uniting our two countries and strengthening our relationship.

Coming to the various elements of the visit, Hon'ble Prime Minister will hold comprehensive review of the entire spectrum of the bilateral relations with His Majesty the Sultan of Oman and also exchange perspectives on regional and international issues of mutual interest. He is expected to address business leaders from both the countries at a business forum and also address the Indian community in Oman during the visit.

At this stage, I can inform you that a number of documents that are expected to be signed during the visit are in the last stages of their finalization. The areas and other details of these various documents that are expected to be signed will be shared after the visit.

In conclusion, I can say that carrying forward from the historic visit of His Majesty the Sultan of Oman to India in 2023, the present visit of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to Oman will build on the momentum gathered in bilateral relations, and further consolidate our strategic ties with Oman in this important 70th year of establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. It will reinforce our strategic partnership, is expected to open new avenues of cooperation, and further strengthen the ties between the people of the two countries.

Thank you. And if there are any questions, I would be happy to answer them.

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Thank you, Sir. With that, we open the floor for questions.

Megha Sharma, NewsX: Hello, Good Evening Sir. And my question is about the Free Trade Agreement between Oman and India. Is that agreement formally going to be signed during Prime Minister's visit? And is the Commerce Minister also traveling along with the business delegation that you were talking about?

Akhilesh Suman, DD News:Sir main Akhilesh Suman hoon DD News se. Pradhanmantri Narendra Modi Jordan ja rahe hain. Jordan Israel ke theek bagal mein hai, aur Gaza mein shanti ki baat ho rahi hai, kis tarike se wahan suraksha di jayegi, kis tarike se reconstruction hoga, ispe bhi baat chal rahi hai. Donald Trump ka bhi prastav aaya hai. Toh kya Pradhanmantri Jordan mein jab baat karenge, toh in muddon par bhi baat karenge, apni taraf se bhi koi prastav denge ya usme shamil hone ki koi baat karenge?

[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Sir, I am Akhilesh Suman from DD News. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Jordan. Jordan is right next to Israel, and discussions are underway about peace in Gaza, including how security will be ensured there and how reconstruction will take place. There is also a proposal that has come from Donald Trump. So, when Prime Minister is in Jordan and holds discussions, will these issues also be taken up? Will he put forward any proposal from India's side or indicate India's willingness to be part of such efforts?

Rishabh, Times Now: Good evening, Sir. Rishabh from Times Now. Sir, Prime Minister is traveling to Oman, there are reports that Oman has agreed to hand over their retired Jaguar fleet to India which can be used for the spare parts, with the fleet that India have for Jaguar. If we can have more details on that?

Sidhant, WION: Hi Ma'am, Hi Sir. My question is, both Oman and Jordan are part of the OIC, the Organization of Islamic Grouping. This grouping has been used by Pakistan for its own anti-India propaganda activities. How much the Indian side is going to sensitize both countries over the misuse of OIC, and also Pakistan's support to cross-border terrorism?

Ayushi Agarwal, ANI: Good evening, this is Ayushi Agarwal from ANI. During Prime Minister's Ethiopia visit, will there be any discussion on next India-Africa summit?

Shri Arun Chatterjee, Secretary (CPV & OIA): See, the India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, we are all very optimistic about it. The teams from both the sides, we have been working very hard for its early finalization. And we are working towards it. As I mentioned that several of these documents are still under various stages of finalization, and awaiting for approvals of both the sides. But we have here immense faith that this agreement, if it is signed during this visit, will significantly deepen the economic ties between India and Oman. And it will open up a new chapter in the history of India - Oman trade and commercial relationship.

Now, regarding the recent reports about the handing over of spare parts. We can inform you that some of the elements of the report were not fully correct. The Royal Air Force of Oman used to operate Jaguar jets, but they were then retired from their service sometime back. Now, they are having many spares of these aircrafts which they would be are willing to transfer to us in the near future. And we are expecting that the supplies of those spare parts are likely to come in the coming days.

As far as, Sidhant, your question is concerned. You see, both with Oman and Jordan, our relationship has its own importance. Whether the leaders, as I mentioned in my talks … they will be discussing regional and international issues of mutual interest. I won't be at this stage be able to tell what all issues will be coming up. Maybe, post the visit we will be able to brief you what all are the regional issues that might have come up during the talks of the two leaders.

Dr. Neena Malhotra, Secretary (South): Thank you. Aapne prashn kiya ki kya do aapas mein Palestine ya Gaza pe baat karenge. Main yeh toh nahi jaanti jab woh milenge toh kya baat karenge, lekin aisa maana jaata hai ki jab do deshon ke neta milte hain, toh sabhi muddon pe charcha hoti hai. Dwipakshiye muddon pe bhi charcha hoti hai, kshetriye muddon pe bhi charcha hoti hai. Toh humein... ho sakta hai ki donon neta in... in mamlon pe charcha karein.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi]Thank you. You asked whether they will discuss Palestine or Gaza. I cannot say exactly what they will talk about when they meet, but it is generally understood that when leaders of two countries meet, they discuss all relevant issues-bilateral as well as regional. So it is possible that both leaders may also discuss these matters.

Regarding the Gaza peace plan, well, we have welcomed the signing of first phase of Gaza peace plan. And you know our position. We also attended the Sharm El-Sheikh summit. Our Minister of State for External Affairs had attended. And we generally support any effort towards building lasting and just peace. Thank you.

Regarding Ethiopia, of course Ethiopia is an important country in Africa. It's part of the African Union, it's actually headquarters of the African Union. We have had some editions of India-Africa Forum Summit in Ethiopia when we had Banjul Formula. I don't know what would be the discussions regarding the forthcoming summit. Yes but I know that we have been working with our African partners to organize the next edition of India-Africa Forum Summit. So, as and when something is concretized, we shall definitely get back to you. Thank you.

Yeshi Seli, Business India:This is Yeshi Seli from Business India. My question is, on the FTA one of the roadblocks is, you know, Oman talks about Omanisation where they want to take only their nationals for work, and there is a big Indian community there. So, you know, will there be talks on protecting the interests of Indian labor there? Also, in the wake of sanctions that we have, the U.S. sanctions on oil, are we going to increase our energy imports from Oman to India?

Niraj, News18 India: Ma'am, mera sawal ye hai ki Ethiopia mein Bharat teen bade investors mein se hai, FDI ki agar baat karein, foreign investors... investment ki baat karein, toh kya Bharat isko aur badhane ko lekar bhi aage dekh raha hai is daure ke dauran? FDI?

[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Ma'am, my question is that India is among the three major investors in Ethiopia when it comes to FDI and foreign investments. So, during this visit, is India looking at further increasing its investments there? FDI?

Neeraj Dubey, Prabhasakshi: Namaskar Sir, main Neeraj Dubey Prabhasakshi se. Sir, Jordan, Ethiopia aur Oman teeno hi mein Cheen ki achhi wahan par prabhav hai, wahan par teeno hi China ke BRI ke member bhi hain. Toh Pradhanmantri ki is yatra ke aise kaun se mehatvapoorn pehlu hain jo ki in teeno deshon ki Cheen par nirbharta kam karne mein sahayak honge?

Aur doosra Ethiopia ke saath sir vyapar asantulan bana hua hai, toh is yatra mein kya uspar bhi kuch baat cheet honi hai?

[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Namaskar, Sir. I am Neeraj Dubey from Prabhasakshi. Sir, China has significant influence in Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman, and all three countries are also members of China's BRI. So, what are the key aspects of the Prime Minister's visit that could help reduce these countries' dependence on China?And secondly, Sir, there is a trade imbalance with Ethiopia. Will this visit also include discussions on addressing that issue?

Dr. Neena Malhotra, Secretary (South):Thank you. As far as Ethiopia is concerned, I think the visit is coming at a significant moment when Ethiopia has embarked on comprehensive economic reforms. They are opening up all key sectors including the banking sector, the capital markets etc. So, India does seek to align our development cooperation and economic engagement with Ethiopia's priorities, and we definitely would like to explore new avenues for cooperation which are mutually beneficial to both sides.

You are very right about our investments. I think in the textile sectors we have huge investments, we have investments in the other sectors. We have over 175 companies present in Ethiopia from India. So, there is definitely a scope.

Regarding the trade with Ethiopia, we usually, from our side, export pharmaceuticals. In fact, nearly 40% of all our exports to that country are pharmaceuticals. And from there, we purchase pulses and beans. Right now, the trade volume is about 550 million dollars. So, both sides will definitely try to enhance the bilateral trade, both exports and imports to that country. Thank you.

Shri Arun Chatterjee, Secretary (CPV & OIA):So, as you know, I mentioned about that we have more than 675,000 Indians in Oman, of which a little more than 5 lakhs are Indian workers in Oman. Large number of them are working in the private sectors. Now, the sectors where our workers are there is construction, manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, hospitality, transport, logistics, ports and shipping, tourism. So, it's a huge list if I keep on mentioning.

Yes, Omanisation is there, but it is our view that despite the Omanisation which is a policy followed by the government of Oman, it is still anticipated that Oman would continue to employ skilled individuals to support its large infrastructure plans, and its sustained economic growth.So, we are of the view and it's our expectation that the demand would continue in all these sectors, and the Omani government would continue to employ Indians in these particular sectors, and the new and emerging areas that are likely to come in the coming years.

Coming to the question on energy cooperation. Now, the traditional hydrocarbon trade with Oman is one of the significant components of our bilateral trade. We are also looking at new avenues of cooperation in green energy and energy security. We import crude oil, petroleum products, and LNG from Oman, and these exports are in substantial quantities, and we also export petroleum products to Oman. So, we expect that this hydrocarbon cooperation between India and Oman will continue in the coming years as well.

India's relationship with any country should not be viewed through the prism of a third country. India builds its own relationship with whether it is Jordan or with Oman, irrespective of whatever is happening between that country's relationship with a third country. So, on this same principle, I would suggest that we would continue to develop our bilateral cooperation with Oman as well as Jordan.

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: With that, ladies and gentlemen, we come to the close of this press briefing. This visit starts on 15th, we shall keep you updated on each of the legs of the visit and we will keep you updated on all the developments. Thank you, very much.

New Delhi
December 12, 2025