India, Ethiopia Announce Strategic Partnership, Modi Talks of 'Historic Bonds' Between the Two Nations
New Delhi: India and Ethiopia announced the elevation of their bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership during prime minister Narendra Modi's first official visit to the East African nation on Tuesday (December 16).
The announcement came during delegation-level talks in Addis Ababa on Tuesday, where Modi emphasised the historic bonds between the two nations and their shared commitment as democratic powers of the Global South.
"Today we are elevating India-Ethiopia relations to the level of a Strategic Partnership," Modi stated. "This step will provide new energy, new momentum, and new depth to our relations."
The visit, first by an Indian PM since 2011, began by Ethiopian prime minister Abiy receiving Modi at the airport and personally driving him to his hotel. On the way, the two leaders made unscheduled stops at the Science Museum and the Friendship Park, holding informal discussions on Ethiopia’s coffee culture.
Prime minister Abiy also conferred Ethiopia's highest honour, 'The Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia', on Modi.
In his opening remarks at the talks, Modi described his visit as marked by "a deep sense of belonging and profound affinity," highlighting the "continuous contact, dialogue, and exchange between India and Ethiopia for thousands of years." He noted that both nations embody "unity in diversity" with their multiple languages and rich traditions.
The prime minister acknowledged Ethiopia's strategic importance as home to the African Union headquarters, calling it "the meeting point of African diplomacy." He recalled India's role in securing the African Union's membership in the G20 in 2023.
Modi also thanked Ethiopian leadership for their condolences following the recent Pahalgam terror attack and their support in India's fight against terrorism, emphasising that "having the support of friendly nations matters a lot."
Following the talks, the two leaders witnessed the exchange of three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations Training, Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters, and establishment of a Data Centre at Ethiopia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
On the economic front, the leaders discussed cooperation in Digital Public Infrastructure, mining, critical minerals, and clean energy.
Indian companies are among the top three foreign investors in Ethiopia, with more than 675 Indian companies registered with the Ethiopian Investment Commission representing investment of over $6.5 billion. According to India's Department of Commerce, India is Ethiopia's second largest trading partner, accounting for 23.7% of Ethiopia's global trade. Bilateral trade stood at $550.19 million in 2024-25, with the trade balance heavily favouring India.
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