- According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the visit seeks to reaffirm the shared commitment of India and Ethiopia to strengthen friendship and expand cooperation across diverse areas
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Addis Ababa on Tuesday for a two-day State visit to Ethiopia, marking a significant moment in India–Africa relations. The visit, undertaken at the invitation of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, underlines the growing political, economic and cultural engagement between the two nations, both of which see themselves as key voices of the Global South.
In a rare and symbolic gesture, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed personally received Prime Minister Modi at the airport and accompanied him to his hotel. The Ethiopian leader also hosted him on an unscheduled visit to the Science Museum and Friendship Park, highlighting the warmth and personal rapport that characterise bilateral ties. Prime Minister Modi later described Ethiopia as a nation with a rich history and vibrant culture, noting the deep civilisational connections shared by the two countries.
Following Ethiopia, Prime Minister Modi will travel to Oman from December 17 to 18, where he will engage with the leadership of a long-standing strategic partner with whom India shares deep historical, trade and people-to-people ties
The Ethiopia visit followed the successful conclusion of the first leg of the Prime Minister’s tour in Jordan. There, he held wide-ranging discussions aimed at strengthening cooperation across several sectors and was personally seen off by Crown Prince Al-Hussein bin Abdullah II. Reflecting on the Jordan visit, Prime Minister Modi termed it “immensely productive,” emphasising the steady expansion of India–Jordan relations.
During his stay in Addis Ababa from December 16 to 17, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to hold detailed talks with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, covering the full spectrum of bilateral relations, including trade, development cooperation, capacity building and regional issues. Addis Ababa’s importance as the headquarters of the African Union adds further weight to the visit. Prime Minister Modi has previously highlighted that during India’s G20 Presidency in 2023, the African Union was admitted as a permanent member of the G20, a move seen as a milestone for Africa’s global representation.
The Prime Minister is also expected to address a joint session of the Ethiopian Parliament and interact with members of the Indian diaspora living in Ethiopia. He has expressed keen interest in sharing India’s democratic journey and highlighting the role that the India–Ethiopia partnership can play in advancing the interests of the Global South.
