Prime Minister Narendra Modi's flight for his three-nation tour to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman was delayed on Monday morning due to dense fog across the national capital. Scheduled to depart at 8.30 am, the Prime Minister eventually boarded around 9.30 am after poor visibility temporarily disrupted operations.
"First, I will be visiting Jordan, on the invitation of His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein. This historic visit will mark 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries," the Prime Minister said in his departure statement.
Delhi woke to near-zero visibility on Monday as dense fog enveloped the city, causing slow early-morning traffic. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for fog, advising residents to exercise caution. Morning temperatures fell to 12 degrees Celsius.
Flight operations at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport were disrupted on Monday morning as dense fog, the season's first spell in the national capital, sharply reduced visibility. Several departures were delayed as airlines adjusted schedules to ensure safe operations.
"Due to dense fog, flight operations may experience disruptions. We are working closely with all stakeholders to minimize inconvenience to passengers. For the latest flight updates, passengers are advised to contact their respective airlines. We sincerely regret any inconvenience caused," an advisory issued by Delhi airport read.
PM Modi is scheduled to visit Jordan, where he will hold detailed discussions with Jordanian King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein and Prime Minister Jafar Hassan.
The Prime Minister will then travel to Ethiopia, where he will address a Joint Session of Parliament and share his vision for strengthening India-Ethiopia ties and the broader partnership with the Global South. He will also meet Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali and engage with the Indian diaspora in the country.
On the final leg, PM Modi will visit the Sultanate of Oman, marking 70 years of diplomatic relations between India and Oman.
