Context
Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertook a three-nation visit (15–18 December 2025) to Jordan, Ethiopia and Oman. The Jordan–Oman leg of the tour was particularly significant in reinforcing India’s ‘Think West’ policy, which aims at deeper political, economic and strategic engagement with West Asia beyond the Gulf, linking security, connectivity, energy and diaspora interests.
India’s ‘Think West’ Policy – Brief
| Aspect | Focus |
|---|---|
| Geographic scope | West Asia including Gulf, Levant & extended neighbourhood |
| Objectives | Energy security, trade, diaspora welfare, connectivity, maritime security |
| Shift | From transactional ties → strategic partnerships |
| Instruments | High-level diplomacy, CEPA, defence cooperation, IMEC |
JORDAN VISIT: KEY DEVELOPMENTS
Why Jordan Matters
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- Strategic location in the Levant
- Moderate regional actor with influence on Israel–Palestine issue
- Emerging role in IMEC overland connectivity
Major Outcomes of the Visit
| Area | Key Developments |
|---|---|
| Political | Revival of high-level engagement after long gaps |
| Trade & Economy | Commitment to double trade to US$ 5 billion in 5 years |
| Security | Convergence on counter-terrorism & extremism |
| Energy & Water | MoUs on renewable energy and water resource management |
| Heritage & Culture | Twinning of Petra and Ellora |
| Reconstruction | Proposal for joint role in post-conflict Syria |
Assessment
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- Historically low strategic depth despite reasonable trade (US$ 2.6 bn).
- Visit marks a qualitative shift from episodic engagement to structured cooperation.
- Defence and CT cooperation remains an under-exploited opportunity.
OMAN VISIT: DEEPENING A STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
Why Oman is Critical
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- India’s oldest defence partner in the Gulf
- Strategic maritime location at the mouth of the Gulf
- Key node in Arabian Sea security architecture
Major Outcomes of the Visit
| Area | Key Developments |
|---|---|
| Economic | Signing of India–Oman CEPA (2nd Gulf CEPA after UAE) |
| Strategic Vision | Alignment of Viksit Bharat with Oman Vision 2040 |
| Defence | Expansion of joint exercises & operational cooperation |
| Maritime | Joint Vision Document on Maritime Cooperation |
| Blue Economy | Cooperation in sustainable ocean resources |
| New Sectors | Green energy, AI, fintech, cybersecurity, agri-tech |
Assessment
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- CEPA acts as a force multiplier beyond hydrocarbons.
- Oman emerges as a maritime and logistics anchor for India in West Asia.
- Defence cooperation reflects high strategic trust.
IMEC Connection: Strategic Significance
| Country | Role in IMEC |
|---|---|
| Oman | Maritime entry point from India into the Gulf |
| Jordan | Overland bridge connecting Gulf to Israeli ports & Europe |
Strategic Value
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- Reduces dependence on traditional chokepoints
- Enhances India’s role in Eurasian connectivity
- Aligns economic diplomacy with geopolitical strategy
Comparative Snapshot: Jordan vs Oman
| Aspect | Jordan | Oman |
|---|---|---|
| Nature of ties | Historically limited | Deep & strategic |
| Economic framework | MoUs, trade expansion | CEPA |
| Defence cooperation | Emerging | Mature & institutionalised |
| IMEC role | Overland connectivity | Maritime gateway |
Overall Significance for India
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- Reinforces ‘Think West’ as a multi-vector strategy
- Balances Gulf-centric approach with Levant outreach
- Strengthens India’s maritime security architecture
- Positions India as a connectivity and development partner, not just an energy consumer
Challenges
-
- Translating MoUs into measurable outcomes
- Regional instability in West Asia
- Need for sustained political follow-up with Jordan
- Competition from China and other extra-regional actors
Way Forward
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- Institutionalise defence & CT cooperation with Jordan
- Fast-track CEPA implementation with Oman
- Integrate Jordan and Oman actively into IMEC planning
- Expand people-to-people, skilling and digital cooperation
- Use Oman as a hub for India’s Arabian Sea strategy
Conclusion
Prime Minister Modi’s visits to Jordan and Oman mark a strategic consolidation of India’s ‘Think West’ policy, moving beyond transactional engagements to long-term partnerships. While the Jordan visit signals a recalibration towards the Levant, the Oman visit reinforces a trusted Gulf partnership through CEPA, defence cooperation and maritime security. Together, these engagements strengthen India’s geopolitical footprint in West Asia and align economic diplomacy with strategic connectivity, positioning India as a key stakeholder in the region’s future order.
What is IMEC?
India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) is a multimodal connectivity initiative announced at the G20 New Delhi Summit (2023) to link India with Europe via the Middle East, integrating ports, railways, roads, digital networks, and clean energy corridors.
Core Objective
To create a reliable, cost-efficient and resilient trade and connectivity corridor that:
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- cuts transit time and logistics costs,
- strengthens supply-chain resilience,
- boosts economic integration across Asia–Middle East–Europe,
- supports green and digital infrastructure.
Participating Countries
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- India
- Middle East: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel
- Europe: Italy, France, Germany
- Partners: European Union, United States
Two Main Corridors
1. Eastern Corridor: India → UAE (sea routes)
2. Northern Corridor: UAE/Saudi Arabia → Jordan → Israel → Europe (rail + sea)
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of six Arab states in the Persian Gulf, created to promote political coordination, economic integration, security cooperation, and social–cultural ties.
Basic Facts
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- Founded: 1981
- Headquarters: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Members (6): Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates
Objectives
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- Political & Security Cooperation: Collective security and regional stability
- Economic Integration: Common market, customs union, monetary coordination
- Social & Cultural Cooperation: Education, health, labour mobility
- Energy Coordination: Oil & gas policies, energy transition
