AMN / NEWS DESK
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that India and Ethiopia stand together as members of one family to work for a more just, more equal and more peaceful world.
The Prime Minister was addressing the joint session of the parliament of Ethiopia TODAY. Talking about the aspirations of the Global South, the Prime Minister said that the Global South is writing its own destiny, and India and Ethiopia share a vision for it, and the vision is of a world where the Global South rises not against anyone but for everyone.
Underlining the ages-old association between the two countries, Prime Minister Modi said that solidarity is strength and cooperation is power, as ancient civilisations India and Ethiopia are standing together, and in the last eleven years of his government connection has increased manifold between the two countries.
The Prime Minister said that in today’s world the decision-making should reflect today’s reality because it’s not the world of 1945, and the world cannot move forward if its system remains locked in the past.
Highlighting deep civilisational links, PM Modi said both India and Ethiopia blend ancient wisdom with modern ambition. Drawing parallels between the two nations, he noted that India’s national song ‘Vande Mataram’ and Ethiopia’s national anthem both refer to the land as mother, reflecting shared cultural values and reverence for the motherland.
Recalling historical ties, he referred to Indian soldiers who fought alongside Ethiopians during the liberation struggle in 1941 and said it was an honour to pay tribute at the Adwa Victory Monument earlier in the day. He also spoke about people-to-people ties, particularly the role of thousands of Indian teachers who contributed to Ethiopia’s education sector and Ethiopian students who studied in India and later helped build modern Ethiopia.
PM Modi said Indian companies have invested over $5 billion in Ethiopia across sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, health and textiles, creating more than 75,000 local jobs. He announced that India and Ethiopia had decided to elevate their bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership, aimed at expanding cooperation in technology, innovation, mining, clean energy, food security, health, capacity building, defence and security.
Sharing India’s development experience, the Prime Minister highlighted the country’s Digital Public Infrastructure and said India was ready to share its expertise as Ethiopia implements its Digital Ethiopia 2025 strategy. He also noted that India was honoured to partner with Ethiopia in developing a data centre for its Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
On healthcare cooperation, PM Modi recalled India’s role during the COVID-19 pandemic, stating that India supplied medicines and over four million vaccine doses to Ethiopia despite global challenges. He said cooperation in healthcare would continue to expand, including in pharmaceuticals, hospitals, telemedicine and capacity building.
Emphasising regional and global cooperation, the Prime Minister said India and Ethiopia, as nations of the Global South, must work together to amplify the voice of developing countries. He thanked Ethiopia for its solidarity following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam earlier this year and for its commitment to zero tolerance towards terrorism.
Drawing attention to democratic values, PM Modi noted similarities between the constitutions of the two countries, saying both place the people at the centre of national destiny. He said democracy is a way of life shaped by debate, diversity and the rule of law.
The Prime Minister also spoke about environmental responsibility, linking India’s ‘Ek Ped, Maa Ke Naam’ initiative with Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative. Stressing the principle of trusteeship advocated by Mahatma Gandhi, he said nations must protect the planet for future generations and work together on renewable energy, green jobs and climate justice.
Concluding his address, PM Modi said India and Ethiopia share a vision for the Global South that focuses on inclusive development, accessible technology, respect for sovereignty, shared prosperity and peace. He reaffirmed India’s commitment to walking alongside Ethiopia as an equal partner and trusted friend.
Prime Minister completed his visit to the African country and left for Oman for the last leg of his visit to the three countries. Before addressing the session of the parliament,
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid a wreath at the Adwa Victory Monument in Addis Ababa.
India and Ethiopia have elevated their historical ties to a strategic partnership, as the Prime Minister held wide-ranging talks with his Ethiopian counterpart, Abiy Ahmed Ali, in Addis Ababa yesterday.
The two leaders discussed issues of bilateral and mutual interest. The two countries also signed eight MoUs/agreements, including upgrading ties to ‘Strategic Partnership’, customs cooperation, establishing a data centre at the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry, UN Peacekeeping training cooperation, debt restructuring under G20, more ICCR scholarships and AI short courses for Ethiopians.
Talking about the outcomes of the bilateral talks, Sudhakar Dalela, Secretary of MEA, said that the elevation of the bilateral relations to statistic ties is going to give new dimensions to the age-old relations between India and Ethiopia.
He further added that India and Ethiopia are particularly keen about association in the education and digital public infrastructure sector.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also conferred with Ethiopia’s highest award, ‘The Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia’, by his Ethiopian counterpart, Dr Abiy Ahmed Ali.