Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid an official visit to Ethiopia from December 16–17, marking his first visit to Ethiopia and a significant milestone in the deepening diplomatic and economic ties between the two nations. The visit, undertaken at the invitation of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, followed a sideline meeting at the recent G20 Summit. It served to elevate the longstanding historical partnership to a strategic one, underscoring a shared commitment to enhanced cooperation across mutual priorities.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit commenced with a tour of the Ethiopian Science Museum, highlighting the country’s future in science and technology. This was followed by a visit to Friendship Park, a popular green space renowned for its lush landscapes, night shows, and panoramic city views.
An official ceremony was later held at the National Palace, featuring bilateral talks between the two Prime Ministers. A delegation-level meeting followed, culminating in the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs). These agreements are aimed at strengthening cooperation in key sectors and included an Agreement on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters to facilitate bilateral trade, an MoU on the establishment of a data center within Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and an MoU on UN peacekeeping cooperation, enhancing the global roles of both nations.
Further engagements took place at the Addis International Convention Center. Prime Minister Abiy described Prime Minister Modi’s visit as a transformative event that transcends conventional diplomacy, formally shifting the relationship from a historical to a strategic partnership. He characterized the visit as a carefully planned and bold initiative uniting two nations committed to achieving change through cooperation. Prime Minister Abiy emphasized that deep historical bonds form a crucial foundation for the future, where collaborative strength unlocks new opportunities. He reiterated that the Ethiopia–India partnership, built on mutual respect and support for inclusive development, holds great potential as a model for South–South cooperation.
In his address at the Convention Center, Prime Minister Modi expressed gratitude for being conferred the ‘Great Honor Nishan of Ethiopia,’ Ethiopia’s highest state award. He stated that the future demands cooperation based on clear vision and trust, and that this visit lays a firm foundation for such collaboration with Ethiopia. He affirmed that the partnership would help navigate evolving global changes and create new opportunities.
On Wednesday (December 17), the visit continued with a tour of the Adwa Victory Museum, an emblem of Ethiopia’s historic triumph and a continental symbol of resistance and unity. Prime Minister Modi praised the museum as a powerful testament to African resilience and independence and laid a wreath at the Adwa Victory Memorial.
PM Modi concluded his programme in Ethiopia by addressing a joint session of the House of People’s Representatives and House of Federation. In his speech, Prime Minister Modi expressed his honor in addressing a body that played a major role in Africa’s decolonization process. He highlighted the deep people-to-people, historical, and cultural ties between Ethiopia and India and emphasized that comprehensive cooperation would continue to be strengthened. He reaffirmed India’s commitment to supporting Ethiopia, particularly in technology transfer, cybersecurity, capacity building, agriculture, education, and health. The Prime Minister also noted the importance of bilateral cooperation in regional peace and security, pledging to enhance collaborative efforts in this field. He concluded by thanking Prime Minister Abiy for the warm welcome and participated in a tree-planting ceremony alongside him.
Ethiopia and India share a close relationship spanning over two millennia. Historical evidence indicates that, since the 19th century, many Indians have made Ethiopia their home. Between the First and Second World Wars, a considerable number of Indian entrepreneurs were engaged in business across various Ethiopian cities. Ethiopia was also among the first African nations to open an embassy in India following India’s independence in 1947.
Shared affinities in culture, religion, and geography, alongside complementary geopolitical perspectives, have long facilitated political and foreign policy cooperation between Ethiopia and India. These enduring diplomatic ties are poised to elevate Africa–India relations to new heights.
India has consistently demonstrated its commitment to strengthening cooperation with Ethiopia, resulting in a mutually beneficial partnership. The two countries maintain robust relations in economic development, trade, and foreign direct investment, among other fields.
The visit reaffirmed Ethiopia’s key role in a multipolar world order. India’s recognition of Ethiopia as a “trusted and long-term partner” stands as a significant achievement for Ethiopia, bolstering its foreign investment prospects and diplomatic credibility.