Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ongoing three-nation tour has been marked by a series of extraordinary diplomatic gestures, with top leaders in Jordan and Ethiopia extending rare personal courtesies that underscore the deep warmth and strategic trust in India's partnerships. These actions, going beyond standard protocol, highlight India's growing stature on the global stage, particularly within the Global South.
An Exceptional Welcome in Addis Ababa
Upon arriving in Addis Ababa on Tuesday for his maiden bilateral visit to Ethiopia, Prime Minister Modi was greeted with an exceptional welcome. In a move that broke from convention, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali personally received him at the airport. Demonstrating remarkable hospitality, PM Abiy then took the wheel to drive the Indian leader to his hotel.
During this informal car journey, the two leaders engaged in candid discussions. Prime Minister Abiy briefed PM Modi on Ethiopia's renowned coffee varieties, sharing insights into a key cultural and economic product. The impromptu tour continued with unscheduled stops at the Science Museum and Friendship Park, sites not originally on the official itinerary, allowing for a more personal exchange.
PM Modi also participated in a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony at the airport, later sharing his experiences on social media platform X. "Honoured by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali’s gesture of welcoming me at the airport. Ethiopia is a nation with great history and vibrant culture," he posted.
Rare Gestures in Jordan Set the Tone
The special treatment began earlier in Jordan, where PM Modi's visit marked 75 years of diplomatic relations. In another rare display of respect, Jordan’s Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II personally drove PM Modi to the Jordan Museum. The Indian leader was accorded significant honours by the Jordanian leadership throughout his stay.
During this leg, PM Modi held substantive one-on-one talks with King Abdullah II at the Husseiniya Palace, followed by broader delegation-level discussions. The visit culminated in the signing of multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) spanning diverse areas including culture, renewable energy, water management, and digital public infrastructure. A notable agreement was a twinning arrangement between the historical sites of Petra in Jordan and Ellora in India.
Significance and the Road Ahead
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasized that these gestures are far from merely symbolic. They reflect the substantial importance both Ethiopia and Jordan attach to their partnership with India. "The special gesture by the Ethiopian leadership reflects the importance the two countries attach to each other as Global South partners," the MEA stated, noting the historical and people-to-people ties that anchor the relationship.
In Ethiopia, PM Modi's two-day agenda is packed with significant engagements. He is scheduled to hold wide-ranging talks with PM Abiy covering all aspects of bilateral cooperation. A key highlight will be his address to a joint session of the Ethiopian Parliament, where he is expected to share India's experience as the 'Mother of Democracy'. His program also includes meeting members of the vibrant Indian diaspora. Addis Ababa holds additional significance as the headquarters of the African Union, which India helped admit as a permanent G20 member during its presidency in 2023.
From Ethiopia, Prime Minister Modi will proceed to Oman for the final leg of his tour. There, he will hold talks with Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to further strengthen the all-encompassing Strategic Partnership between the two nations, a relationship built on centuries-old ties of trade, friendship, and strong people-to-people connections.
This three-nation tour, beginning with landmark moments in Jordan and now witnessing historic welcomes in Ethiopia, powerfully reaffirms India's committed diplomacy and its role as a trusted leader and partner in the Global South. The personal courtesies extended by the leaders are a clear diplomatic signal of the high esteem in which India and Prime Minister Modi are held, paving the way for deeper, more collaborative futures with these key nations.
