WASHINGTON, Dec. 26 (IANS) – A report released on Friday by the Middle East Forum, a U.S.‑based think tank, outlined how India’s growing outreach in the Middle East and Africa is becoming a cornerstone of its global strategy amid heightened trade uncertainties and fresh tariff pressures from the United States.
The analysis highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent trip to Jordan, Ethiopia and Oman as evidence of “India’s integrated strategic approach to the Middle East, Africa, and the Indian Ocean.” Instead of addressing these regions separately, New Delhi is responding to their intertwined geopolitics, especially after the recent disruptions to long‑standing trade corridors.
Modi’s visit to Amman marked the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, a milestone that also came after a prolonged break and amid the fallout from the Gaza conflict. The report noted that Jordan’s status as a moderate, stabilizing player helps India engage with the region without becoming entangled in intra‑regional rivalries. The Prime Minister’s warm reception by King Abdullah II and their discussions underscored a deepening partnership.
Speaking about the outcomes, Modi called the visit “immensely productive,” citing reinforced cooperation in renewable energy, water management, digital transformation, cultural exchanges and heritage preservation. He added that the two nations had “strongly reaffirmed their shared stand against terrorism.”
For New Delhi, solid ties with Jordan signal that Middle‑Eastern stability is essential to its energy security, diaspora protection and broader regional strategy.
Ethiopia, positioned as India’s gateway to Africa, was a focal point of the trip. The report emphasized that more than $200 billion in Indian trade flows through the Red Sea each year, making the region’s piracy, trafficking and recent shipping attacks a direct concern for India. During the visit, Modi and Ethiopia elevated their relationship to a Strategic Partnership. The move is seen as a step toward further consolidating India’s leadership of the Global South through development partnerships that prioritize transparency and capacity building, moving away from the debt‑dependent models associated with China’s influence in Ethiopia.
Oman remains one of India’s most trusted partners in the Persian Gulf, playing a vital role in the country’s energy and maritime security architecture. Extensive Indo‑Omani naval cooperation allows the Indian Navy access to ports such as Duqm, extending New Delhi’s reach into the western Indian Ocean. Oman also contributes significantly to India’s Link West policy, MAHASAGAR vision and broader neighbourhood strategy.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
