Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reaffirmed India’s commitment to deepening relations with Ethiopia following his arrival in Addis Ababa for a bilateral visit marked by high-level engagements and major cooperation agreements.
In a post on X on Tuesday, Modi said he was honoured to be personally welcomed at the airport by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, describing Ethiopia as a nation with “great history and vibrant culture.” He noted that India and Ethiopia share deep civilisational ties and expressed optimism about strengthening cooperation across diverse sectors.
“Thank you Ethiopia for a welcome that was unforgettable. The Indian community showed remarkable warmth and affection,” Modi wrote, adding that the India–Ethiopia friendship would become “even more robust in the times to come.”
According to a statement shared by Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson of India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the visit outlined key outcomes. The list of outcomes read:
·Elevation of bilateral ties to ‘Strategic Partnership’.
·Agreement on cooperation and mutual administrative assistance in customs matters.
·MoU for establishing a data centre at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia.
·Implementing arrangement for cooperation in United Nations peacekeeping operations training.
·Signing of the MoU on debt restructuring in respect of Ethiopia under the G20 Common Framework.
·Doubling of scholarships to Ethiopian scholars under the ICCR scholarship programme.
·Specialized short-term courses for Ethiopian students and professionals in Artificial Intelligence under the ITEC programme.
·India to help augment the capacity of the Mahatma Gandhi Hospital in Addis Ababa in the fields of maternal healthcare and neonatal care.
The visit was further highlighted by the conferment of Ethiopia’s highest civilian award, the ‘Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia’, on Prime Minister Modi. In a separate post on Wednesday, Modi expressed gratitude to the Ethiopian government and people, saying the recognition was a matter of immense pride.
“To be honoured by one of the world’s most ancient and rich civilisations is a matter of immense pride. This honour belongs to the countless Indians who have shaped and strengthened our partnership over the years,” he said.
India reiterated its resolve to work closely with Ethiopia to address evolving global challenges while creating new opportunities for mutual growth, as both countries look to build on the outcomes of the landmark visit.
Melissa Enoch
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