As Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Ethiopian President Abiy Ahmed Ali agreed to elevate the bilateral ties to strategic partnership, PM Modi said on Wednesday that India and Ethiopia are “natural partners” in regional peace, security and connectivity.
Modi, who addressed the Ethiopian parliament on Wednesday, said, “Ethiopia sits at a crossroads of Africa. India stands at the heart of the Indian Ocean. We are natural partners in regional peace, security, and connectivity…our commitment to mutual security became stronger with the signing of the Defence Cooperation Agreement earlier this year. This agreement focuses on closer military cooperation. It includes collaboration in cybersecurity, in defence industries, in joint research, and in capacity building.”
This is Modi’s second leg of the three-nation tour, beginning with Jordan. He is headed to Oman after wrapping up his visit in Ethiopia.
He thanked Ethiopia for its solidarity after the Pahalgam terror attack and for affirming the commitment to zero tolerance towards terrorism.
“Our vision is of a world where the Global South rises not against anyone, but for everyone. A world where development is fair, where technology is accessible, and where sovereignty is respected. A world where prosperity is shared, and peace is defended,” he said, adding that the world cannot move forward if its systems remain locked in the past.
That is why, India has emphasised a Global Development Compact, he said, adding, it will prioritise technology sharing, affordable finance, capacity building, and trade for sustainable growth.
“We will walk together as equals. We will build together as partners. And, we will succeed together as friends,” Modi told the lawmakers.
Modi said he was honoured to receive the Grand Honour, Nishan of Ethiopia. “I accept this award with folded hands, with humility, on behalf of the people of India,” he added.
Modi said the Indian companies have invested more than USD five billion in diverse sectors like textiles, manufacturing, agriculture, health, etc and created more than 75,000 jobs in Ethiopia.
He said the Strategic Partnership will unleash the potential of both economies through cooperation in technology, innovation, mining, clean energy, food security, capacity building, as well as defence and security matters.
Modi also planted a sapling at the Ethiopian Parliament, as part of ‘Ek ped maa ke naam’ and Ethiopia’s Green Legacy initiative.
Earlier, Modi laid a wreath at the Adwa Victory Monument, which stands as a powerful symbol of Ethiopia’s courage, unity and unwavering spirit.
MEA officials said that in the context of food security and health security, Prime Minister Modi expressed and conveyed India’s readiness to share development experience in the area of agri-technology, natural farming, digital health, and how India is leveraging technology for better health services.
He also said that India would be happy to organize special short-term courses in the field of Artificial Intelligence under the ITEC program for Ethiopia. Prime Minister Modi also announced doubling of the number of ICCR scholarships offered annually to Ethiopian students to study in India.
MEA’s Secretary (economic relations) Sudhakar Dalela said the two leaders reaffirmed that India and Ethiopia stood united in advancing a more inclusive, equitable, rule-based global order. The two countries reaffirmed their commitment to work together on global matters of mutual importance, and to amplify the voice of the Global South.
