IAS/UPSC Coaching Institute  

22 Dec 2025 : Beyond the optics

 Editorial 2: Beyond the optics

Context

India must actively advance its vision of a shared global order across regions.

 

Introduction

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s three-nation visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman reflected India’s effort to strengthen bilateral ties in a transactional global order. The tour combined economic diplomacy, development cooperation, and strategic signalling, while reinforcing India’s aspiration to lead the Global South through partnerships based on shared growth, stability, and principled engagement.

 

Shared Strategic Context and Global South Outreach

  • Narendra Modi’s visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman was driven by the objective of deepening bilateral ties in an increasingly transactional global order.
  • All three countries are part of the Global South, where India seeks a leadership role and long-term development partnerships.
  • The tour underlined India’s effort to balance economic diplomacy with strategic and normative commitments.

 

Economic and Developmental Engagements

  • In Oman, talks with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq led to the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), with India–Oman trade doubling to $10 billion in recent years.
  • CEPA is expected to facilitate future free trade negotiations between India and the Gulf Cooperation Council.
  • In Jordan, agreements focused on renewable energy and water management, reflecting shared development priorities.

 

Africa Focus and Strategic Convergence

  • In Addis Ababa, India and Ethiopia launched a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening trade, knowledge exchange, and technology cooperation.
  • Discussions also addressed the rescheduling of the Africa–India Summit, to be hosted by India.
  • Ethiopia’s position as the headquarters of the African Union and a new member of BRICS enhances its importance, especially with India set to assume the BRICS Chairmanship in 2026.

 

West Asia, Gaza, and India’s Principled Position

  • In Amman, while bilateral agreements were limited, discussions were significant in the context of the West Asian conflict and the Gaza peace process.
  • The omission of the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor from the joint statement reflected regional tensions impacting connectivity initiatives.
  • India’s reiteration of support for a sovereign and independent Palestinian state, including in the joint statement with Oman, was intended to reassure Arab partners and the Global South, even as India maintains engagement with Israel and leaders such as Benjamin Netanyahu.

 

Conclusion

Overall, the tour highlighted India’s attempt to balance economic interests with geopolitical responsibility. By advancing trade agreements, nurturing Africa and West Asia partnerships, and reiterating its stand on Palestine and regional peace, India sought to project itself as a credible Global South leader. Sustaining this vision will require consistent messaging and alignment between diplomatic optics and policy actions.