India-Ethiopia Ties Become Strategic
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has successfully concluded his two-day visit to Ethiopia, the second stop on his multi-nation tour.The visit, which saw wide-ranging discussions with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, culminated in the elevation of the historical ties between the two nations to a Strategic Partnership. This decision marks a significant and promising new phase in India’s engagement with a key partner in the African continent.
The elevation of the relationship was the headline outcome of the visit, which also involved the signing of a substantial package of eight agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).These agreements cover a diverse set of cooperation areas, from economic and technological matters to education and global security.
One of the most important agreements signed was an MoU on debt restructuring for Ethiopia, executed under the framework of the G20 Common Framework. This move reaffirms India’s commitment to supporting the economic stability and development of its partners in the Global South.Furthermore, both countries signed agreements on mutual administrative assistance in customs matters and cooperation in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations Training, deepening the security aspect of their engagement.
In the realm of technology and capacity building, India has pledged to support the establishment of a Data Centre at Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Educational exchanges are also set to expand, with the number of scholarships for Ethiopian students under the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) program being doubled. India will also offer specialized short-term courses in Artificial Intelligence (AI) through its ITEC program, focusing on high-tech skill development.
Highlighting the deep affection and mutual respect between the leaders, Prime Minister Modi was conferred with the ‘Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia,’ the country’s highest civilian award.The Prime Minister dedicated the honour to the 1.4 billion people of India and to the timeless friendship between the two nations.This marks the 28th top foreign state award received by the Indian Prime Minister, signifying global recognition of his diplomatic efforts.
The leaders strongly reaffirmed their commitment to working together as partners of the Global South.They pledged to jointly voice the concerns of developing nations on multilateral forums, including the United Nations, and called for greater cooperation on critical global challenges like climate change, clean energy, and disaster resilience. The successful visit is expected to give new energy to the $5 billion investment already made by Indian companies in Ethiopia.
