PM Modi’s Ethiopia Visit Marks a New Chapter in India–Africa Relations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Addis Ababa on December 16, 2025, beginning a two-day state visit to Ethiopia that underlined India’s growing engagement with Africa and the Global South. The visit formed the second leg of his three-nation diplomatic tour, following Jordan and ahead of Oman, and carried both symbolic and strategic significance. Ethiopia, as the headquarters of the African Union and a key African partner, occupies an important place in India’s evolving foreign policy outreach.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed drives PM Modi to his hotel | India Today

A Rare Diplomatic Gesture Reflecting Warm Ties

The visit drew global attention for the exceptionally warm reception extended by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali. In an uncommon personal gesture, PM Abiy personally received PM Modi at the airport and drove him to his hotel in his own vehicle. During the drive, he introduced the Indian leader to prominent landmarks such as Addis Ababa’s Science Museum and Friendship Park, offering an informal glimpse into Ethiopia’s cultural and developmental journey. Such gestures went beyond protocol, reflecting a deep sense of mutual respect and personal rapport between the two leaders.

Elevation of India–Ethiopia Relations to Strategic Partnership

High-level bilateral talks during the visit resulted in India and Ethiopia agreeing to elevate their relationship to a strategic partnership. Both leaders emphasized that this upgrade would provide new momentum to cooperation across political, economic, and developmental domains. Prime Minister Modi highlighted the civilisational links between the two nations and reaffirmed India’s commitment to Ethiopia’s development priorities, while PM Abiy underscored India’s role as a trusted partner and voice of the Global South.

Focus on Trade, Development, and Capacity Building

Economic cooperation featured prominently in discussions. India remains one of Ethiopia’s largest trading partners and among the top sources of foreign direct investment, particularly in manufacturing, textiles, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and infrastructure. Indian companies have created thousands of local jobs, while development assistance, concessional credit lines, and technical cooperation have strengthened Ethiopia’s industrial and human-resource base. Education and capacity building also continue to anchor bilateral ties, with Ethiopia benefiting from Indian scholarships, training programmes, and academic collaboration.

Ethiopia’s Strategic Importance for India

Ethiopia’s regional and global relevance adds strategic depth to the partnership. As the seat of the African Union, Addis Ababa serves as a diplomatic hub for the continent, making India’s engagement with Ethiopia critical to its broader Africa policy. The visit also aligns with India’s emphasis on South-South cooperation and multilateral reform, particularly following the African Union’s inclusion as a permanent member of the G20 during India’s presidency.

Parliamentary Address and People-to-People Engagement

A key highlight of the visit was Prime Minister Modi’s address to a joint session of the Ethiopian Parliament, where he spoke about India’s democratic experience and the shared aspirations of developing nations. Cultural programmes and public interactions during the visit further reinforced people-to-people connections, reflecting the goodwill that underpins the bilateral relationship.

The MGMM Outlook

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Ethiopia marked a significant moment in India’s expanding engagement with Africa and the Global South. The visit, part of a broader diplomatic tour, carried both symbolic and strategic weight, given Ethiopia’s role as the headquarters of the African Union and a key continental player. The exceptionally warm reception extended by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, including personally receiving and driving PM Modi from the airport, reflected a relationship that goes beyond formal diplomacy. Such gestures underscored mutual trust, personal rapport, and a shared commitment to deepening bilateral ties rooted in historical connections and contemporary cooperation.

The visit led to the elevation of India–Ethiopia relations to a strategic partnership, opening new avenues for collaboration in trade, development, and capacity building. India’s role as one of Ethiopia’s major trading partners and investors was reinforced through discussions on manufacturing, infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and education. Development assistance, concessional credit, and skill-building initiatives highlighted India’s long-term developmental approach, while Ethiopia’s strategic importance as a diplomatic hub strengthened India’s broader Africa policy. Parliamentary engagement, cultural exchanges, and people-to-people interactions further demonstrated that the partnership rests not only on economic and political interests but also on shared democratic values and aspirations of developing nations.

(Sources: India TV News, The Times of India, India Today)