The North News
New Delhi, December 17
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has held talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed in Addis Ababa, with the two leaders agreeing to elevate bilateral relations to the level of a strategic partnership. Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the National Palace, where discussions were held in one-on-one, restricted and delegation-level formats. The leaders reviewed the full range of India–Ethiopia relations, rooted in long-standing civilisational links and reinforced by strong people-to-people ties.
Both leaders said that, as partners from the Global South, India and Ethiopia should work together to promote a more inclusive global order. Modi recalled that it was an honour for India to welcome the African Union as a permanent member of the G20 during India’s presidency in 2023. He also thanked Ethiopia for its solidarity following the Pahalgam terror attack and for supporting global efforts to combat terrorism.
The talks covered cooperation in trade and investment, technology and innovation, education and capacity building, and defence. Modi said India was ready to expand collaboration in health security, digital health, traditional medicine, food security, sustainable agriculture and agri-tech, as well as through initiatives such as Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
Reviewing economic ties, the two sides discussed cooperation in digital public infrastructure, mining, critical minerals and clean energy. Modi said Indian companies had invested more than $5bn in Ethiopia, particularly in manufacturing and pharmaceuticals, generating over 75,000 local jobs. The leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to working together at multilateral forums, including the United Nations, and to amplifying the voice of the Global South. They called for closer cooperation on climate change, renewable energy and disaster risk reduction, welcoming initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance, Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and the Global Biofuel Alliance.
Following the talks, three memoranda of understanding were exchanged, covering training for United Nations peacekeeping operations, mutual administrative assistance in customs matters, and the establishment of a data centre at Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Prime Minister Abiy hosted a banquet in Modi’s honour. Modi invited his Ethiopian counterpart to visit India, an invitation that was accepted.
