Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – December 16, 2025 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Addis Ababa on Tuesday, kicking off his historic first-ever state visit to Ethiopia—the second leg of his three-nation tour following Jordan. In a warm gesture, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali personally received Modi at the airport, underscoring the strong bilateral bonds.
This two-day visit, at the invitation of PM Abiy Ahmed (a Nobel Peace Prize laureate), marks the first by an Indian Prime Minister to Ethiopia in over a decade. The city has been adorned with Indian flags, posters, and welcome hoardings, reflecting enthusiasm from locals and the vibrant Indian diaspora.
Key highlights include comprehensive bilateral talks with Abiy Ahmed on political engagement, development partnerships, trade, investment, and people-to-people ties. As Global South partners, the leaders are expected to reaffirm commitments to mutual growth in sectors like agriculture, mining, renewable energy, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, and water management.
PM Modi will also address a joint session of the Ethiopian Parliament, sharing insights on India’s democratic journey and the potential of India-Ethiopia partnership for the Global South. He looks forward to interacting with the Indian community, which is buzzing with excitement.
The visit gains added significance with Addis Ababa hosting the African Union headquarters—India championed its permanent G20 membership in 2023—and Ethiopia’s recent BRICS entry in 2024. Ahead of India’s 2026 BRICS chairmanship, discussions will likely cover multilateral coordination, UN reforms, and expanded cooperation.
Bilateral trade stands at around $570 million, with India as Ethiopia’s second-largest partner and investments exceeding $5 billion. This PM Modi Ethiopia visit is poised to elevate ties further, building on shared civilizational links and strategic alignment.
Stay updated on outcomes, including potential MoUs and Modi’s parliament speech, as he proceeds to Oman next.
