Addis Ababa | December 17, 2025
India and Ethiopia on Tuesday elevated their long-standing bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership following wide-ranging talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali. The two countries also signed eight key agreements, marking a major milestone in India–Africa relations.
Prime Minister Modi, on his first bilateral visit to Ethiopia, received a ceremonial welcome at the National Palace, reflecting the growing closeness between the two nations. After delegation-level discussions, Modi said the decision to upgrade ties would bring new energy, momentum, and depth to bilateral cooperation.
Focus on Economy, Defense, Technology, and Global Cooperation
The talks covered cooperation in economy, technology, defense, health, education, capacity building, and multilateral engagement. Prime Minister Modi thanked Ethiopia for its strong support to India in the global fight against terrorism and emphasized shared democratic values and commitment to peace.
Highlighting centuries-old connections, Modi said India and Ethiopia share thousands of years of cultural exchange, dialogue, and people-to-people ties, with both nations representing unity in diversity. As partners of the Global South, the two countries have consistently stood together on international platforms.
Eight Major Agreements Signed
The agreements signed include:
Formal upgrade of bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership
Customs cooperation
Establishment of a data center at Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Training cooperation for UN peacekeeping missions
Collaboration on debt restructuring under the G20 framework
Doubling of ICCR scholarships for Ethiopian students
AI short-term courses for Ethiopian students
Cooperation in maternal and neonatal healthcare
Prime Minister Modi announced that India has decided to double the number of scholarships available to Ethiopian students, reinforcing educational ties.
African Union and G20 Cooperation Highlighted
Modi noted that Ethiopia, home to the African Union headquarters, plays a central role in African diplomacy. He recalled that during India’s G20 presidency in 2023, the African Union was admitted as a permanent G20 member, underscoring India’s commitment to a more inclusive global order.
Ethiopia Praises India’s Investment and Trust
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali said India and Ethiopia share deep-rooted ties through trade, diplomacy, education, culture, and tradition. He praised India’s approach of prioritizing African-led development goals in partnerships.
Ahmed noted that Ethiopia’s economy is performing strongly and that India is Ethiopia’s largest source of foreign direct investment. More than 615 Indian companies are currently operating in Ethiopia, reflecting deep mutual trust.
Top Honor for PM Modi
Prime Minister Modi was awarded Ethiopia’s highest civilian honor, “The Great Honor of the Order of Ethiopia,” becoming the first global leader to receive the distinction. Both leaders visited Friendship Park and Friendship Square, and shared informal discussions over Ethiopian coffee. In a rare personal gesture, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed personally accompanied PM Modi to his hotel.
Modi said the warmth of Ethiopia’s welcome and the affection shown by the Indian community were unforgettable. On Wednesday, he will address a joint session of the Ethiopian Parliament, where he is expected to speak on India as the “Mother of Democracy” and the role of the India–Ethiopia partnership in the Global South.
