PM Modi Ethiopia Visit 2025: India-Ethiopia Ties Elevated to Strategic Partnership, Modi Conferred Highest Honour

Addis Ababa, December 17, 2025 –PM Modi Ethiopia Visit 2025 Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic two-day state visit to Ethiopia has marked a new milestone in bilateral relations, with the two nations elevating their ties to a strategic partnership.

The visit, the first by an Indian Prime Minister to Ethiopia in over a decade, featured cultural exchanges, high-level talks, and significant agreements, reinforcing centuries-old connections between India and the East African nation.

Modi’s visit, part of a three-nation tour including Jordan and Oman, underscored India’s deepening engagement with the Global South. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali extended an exceptionally warm welcome, personally receiving Modi at Addis Ababa airport and driving him to his hotel in a rare diplomatic gesture.

Modi’s visit, part of a three-nation tour including Jordan and Oman, underscored India’s deepening engagement with the Global South. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali extended an exceptionally warm welcome, personally receiving Modi at Addis Ababa airport and driving him to his hotel in a rare diplomatic gesture.

Warm Welcome and Cultural Immersion Highlight Centuries-Old Ties

Upon arrival on December 16, PM Modi participated in a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony at the airport, a ritual symbolizing hospitality and friendship. “The ceremony beautifully highlights Ethiopia’s rich heritage,” Modi posted on social media, sharing images of the event.

In an unscheduled but heartfelt detour, Abiy Ahmed drove Modi through Addis Ababa, stopping at the Science Museum and Friendship Park. The leaders also toured the National Palace Museum, where glimpses of Ethiopian history and culture were shared.

Modi expressed gratitude, noting, “Gratitude to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali for showing me glimpses of Ethiopian history and culture at the National Palace Museum.

“These cultural highlights evoked the deep-rooted India-Ethiopia relations, dating back thousands of years through trade, diplomacy, and shared civilizational links. Ethiopia, home to ancient civilizations and the African Union headquarters, holds a special place in India’s Africa outreach.

Elevation to Strategic Partnership: A New Chapter in India-Ethiopia Relations

During delegation-level talks at the National Palace, Modi and Abiy Ahmed announced the upgrade of bilateral ties to a strategic partnership.

“We have decided to elevate the India-Ethiopia ties to a Strategic Partnership,” Modi stated, emphasizing that this decision would inject “new energy, new speed, and new depth” into relations.The leaders focused on three key pillars for enhanced cooperation:

1. Food and Health Security: Collaboration in sustainable agriculture, natural farming, agri-tech, and healthcare, including support for maternal and neonatal care at Addis Ababa’s Mahatma Gandhi Hospital.
2. Capacity Building: Introduction of new short-term courses in artificial intelligence (AI) under India’s ITEC program and doubling of scholarships for Ethiopian students under the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).
3. Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI): Sharing India’s expertise in digital governance to support Ethiopia’s modernization efforts.

Abiy Ahmed highlighted Ethiopia’s robust economic growth – 9.2% last year and projected 10.3% this year – and praised India as the leading source of foreign direct investment (FDI), with over 615 Indian companies operating in the country.

As fellow BRICS members (Ethiopia joined in 2024) and partners in the Global South, the leaders reaffirmed commitments to multilateralism, peace, and inclusive development. Modi recalled India’s role in securing permanent G20 membership for the African Union during its 2023 presidency.

Key Agreements Signed During PM Modi Ethiopia Visit

The visit culminated in the exchange of several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements, signaling concrete progress:

• Agreement on Cooperation and Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters.
• MoU for Establishing a Data Centre at Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Implementing Arrangement for Cooperation in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations Training.
• MoU on Debt Restructuring under the G20 Common Framework.
• Enhanced support for healthcare, education, and AI capacity building.

These pacts span governance, peacekeeping, digital capacity, and economic cooperation, aiming to empower people and drive inclusive growth.

PM Modi Conferred Ethiopia’s Highest Honour: First for a Foreign Head of State

In a historic moment, Abiy Ahmed bestowed Ethiopia’s highest civilian award, The Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia, on PM Modi at the Addis International Convention Centre.

Established in 2024, this is the first time the honour has been given to a foreign head of state or government.Modi, visibly moved, dedicated the award to India’s 1.4 billion people. “I’m honoured to be conferred with the ‘Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia.’

I dedicate it to the 140 crore people of India,” he said. “To be honoured by a very ancient and prosperous civilisation is a matter of great pride.”The award recognizes Modi’s contributions to strengthening India-Ethiopia ties and his visionary global leadership.

It marks the 28th foreign state honour for Modi, reflecting India’s rising stature on the world stage.Amid cheers from the Indian diaspora gathered in Addis Ababa, Modi addressed the community, highlighting their role in fostering people-to-people ties. Local artists performed, including dances to popular Indian songs, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Diaspora Engagement and People-to-People

The Indian community in Ethiopia, though small (around 1,500-2,500), plays a vital role in education and development. Many Indian faculty members teach at Ethiopian universities, continuing a tradition spanning over a century.Modi’s interactions with the diaspora emphasized youth engagement and cultural exchanges, aligning with expanded scholarships and AI training programs.

Broader Implications for India-Africa Relations and Global South

The PM Modi Ethiopia visit 2025 comes at a pivotal time, ahead of India’s BRICS chairmanship in 2026. Bilateral trade stands at approximately $570 million, with Indian investments exceeding $5 billion and over $1 billion in concessional credit for infrastructure.Ethiopia, a key African partner, benefits from India’s development initiatives in renewable energy, digital infrastructure, and capacity building.

The strategic partnership positions both nations to address global challenges like food security, climate change, and digital divide.Experts view this upgrade as a boost to India’s Africa policy, complementing engagements in mining, critical minerals, clean energy, and defence.

Looking Ahead: Modi’s Address to Ethiopian Parliament PM Modi Ethiopia Visit 2025

On the second day of the visit (December 17), PM Modi is scheduled to address a joint session of the Ethiopian Parliament, sharing insights on India’s democratic journey as the “Mother of Democracy” and the potential of India-Ethiopia collaboration for the Global South.The visit concludes with Modi proceeding to Oman, wrapping up his Middle East-Africa tour.

A Partnership Rooted in Trust and Shared Vision

PM Modi’s Ethiopia visit has not only elevated bilateral ties but also symbolized enduring friendship between two ancient civilizations. From cultural ceremonies to strategic agreements, the two-day engagement has set the stage for deeper cooperation in trade, technology, security, and sustainable development.

As Modi noted, “India and Ethiopia are democratic powers committed to peace and humanity’s welfare.” This strategic partnership promises mutual growth, reinforcing India’s commitment to a multipolar world and stronger Global South solidarity.