India and Ethiopia have elevated their bilateral relations to a strategic partnership, marking a milestone during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first visit to the country.
Speaking to Ethiopia’s parliament in Addis Ababa, Modi said the move signalled a new chapter shaped by ambition, trust, and shared global aspirations.
The announcement followed high-level talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, focusing on cooperation in technology, mining, green energy, and defence.
Modi said the partnership would unlock economic potential by deepening collaboration in innovation, sustainable development, and emerging technologies.
He highlighted deep cultural bonds, noting that both nations’ national songs honour their homelands as a nurturing mother.
Modi praised Ethiopia’s 1896 Battle of Adwa victory, calling it a beacon for formerly colonised nations and the Global South’s independence.
Indian companies, he said, rank among Ethiopia’s largest foreign investors, with more than $5 billion committed across key economic sectors.
Those investments span textiles, agriculture, manufacturing, and healthcare, creating over 75,000 local jobs, according to Modi.
Several memorandums of understanding were signed, including an agreement for India to build a major data centre for Ethiopia’s foreign ministry.
Abiy described the visit as a turning point, saying it would deepen cooperation across shared priorities and strengthen long-term ties.
The visit included symbolic gestures, with Abiy personally driving Modi to key sites across the capital, reflecting growing personal diplomacy.
Modi was awarded the Grand Nishan of Ethiopia, the country’s highest civilian honour, recognising his role in strengthening bilateral relations.
The upgraded partnership follows Ethiopia’s entry into BRICS and the African Union’s admission to the G20, a move backed by India.
“The Global South is writing its own destiny,” Modi said, envisioning a future shaped by collective rise rather than rivalry.