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India-Ethiopia partnership centred on growth and people-centric development: PM Narendra Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India-Ethiopia ties are focused on growth, youth, innovation and healthcare, marking a major step with the elevation of relations to a Strategic Partnership.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the outcomes of his visit to Ethiopia marked “significant steps forward” in strengthening a trusted, people-centric partnership between the two countries, with a strong focus on youth, skills, innovation and healthcare.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister said cooperation between India and Ethiopia spans key areas such as governance, peacekeeping, digital capacity, education and healthcare, with the shared objective of empowering people and promoting inclusive growth.
“These are significant steps forward in our longstanding and trusted partnership. From governance and peacekeeping to digital capacity and education, the focus remains on empowering our people. The emphasis on knowledge, skills and innovation underscores our shared faith in youth as the drivers of tomorrow. Cooperation in healthcare reflects a deeper commitment to human dignity and care for the most vulnerable,” Modi said.
He added that the outcomes of the visit reflect an India-Ethiopia partnership firmly focused on growth and people-centric development.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Ministry of External Affairs released the official list of outcomes from the Prime Minister’s visit, highlighting the elevation of bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership as a major milestone.
Among the key agreements announced were an accord on cooperation and mutual administrative assistance in customs matters, a Memorandum of Understanding for establishing a data centre at Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and an implementing arrangement for cooperation in training for United Nations peacekeeping operations.
India and Ethiopia also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on debt restructuring under the G20 Common Framework. Educational ties were strengthened with a decision to double scholarships for Ethiopian students under the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) programme and to offer specialised short-term courses in Artificial Intelligence under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) initiative.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi expressed gratitude after being conferred with Ethiopia’s highest civilian honour — the Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia — calling it a matter of immense pride and a recognition of the deep-rooted ties between the two nations.
Thanking the people and government of Ethiopia and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, Modi said the award belonged to the countless Indians who have contributed over the years to strengthening India-Ethiopia relations. He noted that being honoured by one of the world’s most ancient civilisations was deeply meaningful.
“Grateful to the people and Government of Ethiopia as well as Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali for conferring upon me the ‘Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia’. To be honoured by one of the world’s most ancient and rich civilisations is a matter of immense pride. This honour belongs to the countless Indians who have shaped and strengthened our partnership over the years,” the Prime Minister wrote.
Ethiopia conferred the award on Tuesday, making Modi the first global Head of State or Government to receive the honour. It is the 28th top foreign state award bestowed on the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to address the Ethiopian Parliament later today.
