India, Ethiopia Elevate Ties During Modi Visit

22 Dec 2025 CW Team

Addressing a joint sitting of the Ethiopian Parliament and during talks with Abiy Ahmed, Modi said Indian companies have invested over USD 5 billion in Ethiopia, mainly in manufacturing and pharmaceuticals, creating more than 75,000 local jobs. Over 650 Indian companies are registered with Ethiopia’s investment authorities. Acknowledging Ethiopia’s reform-led development agenda, Modi conveyed that India would work closely with Addis Ababa in line with Ethiopia’s priorities and encourage greater participation by Indian private companies.

In his parliamentary address, Modi drew cultural parallels, noting that both India’s national song Vande Mataram and Ethiopia’s national anthem refer to the land as a mother, reflecting shared values rooted in heritage, culture and respect for the motherland.

During bilateral discussions, Modi reiterated India’s support for Ethiopia’s accession to the World Trade Organisation and its membership of the New Development Bank. Following Ethiopia’s recent entry into BRICS, the two leaders agreed to elevate the relationship to a Strategic Partnership. They also decided to expand cooperation across trade and investment, agriculture, renewable energy, health, education, skills development, defence and artificial intelligence.

At a ceremony held at the Addis International Convention Centre, Modi was conferred Ethiopia’s highest civilian honour, the Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia. Earlier, Abiy Ahmed personally received Modi at the airport and accompanied him to the National Science Museum and Friendship Park in Addis Ababa.

India also offered support to Ethiopia under the G20 Common Framework on debt, including flexibility on repayments linked to earlier Indian lines of credit. During the visit, agreements were signed on UN peacekeeping training, mutual administrative assistance in customs matters, and the establishment of a data centre at Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The two sides also announced additional Indian Council for Cultural Relations scholarships, short AI courses for Ethiopians, and support for maternal and neonatal healthcare.

In a post on X, Modi described the outcomes as “significant steps forward” in a trusted partnership, emphasising cooperation in governance, peacekeeping, digital capacity, education and healthcare, with a strong focus on people-centric development.

Following the Ethiopia leg, Modi arrived in Muscat on Wednesday evening for the final stop of his three-nation tour. India and Oman are set to sign a free trade agreement, aimed at expanding opportunities in textiles, food processing, automobiles, auto components, and gems and jewellery. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has reached Muscat for the signing.

Speaking at the Oman–India Business Forum, Goyal said the agreement would be Oman’s first major trade pact in nearly two decades and highlighted strong potential in sectors such as textiles, footwear, autos, gems and jewellery, agrochemicals and renewable energy. Oman’s Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion Qais Al Yousef noted that Indian investments in Oman have more than trebled since 2020 to USD 5 billion, spanning green steel, green ammonia, aluminium manufacturing and logistics.

India already has a similar trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council member United Arab Emirates, which came into force in May 2022.

During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to Ethiopia, which concluded on Wednesday evening, the two countries discussed deepening their economic partnership, particularly in digital public infrastructure, mining, critical minerals and clean energy, as Ethiopia opens up its economy. Addressing a joint sitting of the Ethiopian Parliament and during talks with Abiy Ahmed, Modi said Indian companies have invested over USD 5 billion in Ethiopia, mainly in manufacturing and pharmaceuticals, creating more than 75,000 local jobs. Over 650 Indian companies are registered with Ethiopia’s investment authorities. Acknowledging Ethiopia’s reform-led development agenda, Modi conveyed that India would work closely with Addis Ababa in line with Ethiopia’s priorities and encourage greater participation by Indian private companies. In his parliamentary address, Modi drew cultural parallels, noting that both India’s national song Vande Mataram and Ethiopia’s national anthem refer to the land as a mother, reflecting shared values rooted in heritage, culture and respect for the motherland. During bilateral discussions, Modi reiterated India’s support for Ethiopia’s accession to the World Trade Organisation and its membership of the New Development Bank. Following Ethiopia’s recent entry into BRICS, the two leaders agreed to elevate the relationship to a Strategic Partnership. They also decided to expand cooperation across trade and investment, agriculture, renewable energy, health, education, skills development, defence and artificial intelligence. At a ceremony held at the Addis International Convention Centre, Modi was conferred Ethiopia’s highest civilian honour, the Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia. Earlier, Abiy Ahmed personally received Modi at the airport and accompanied him to the National Science Museum and Friendship Park in Addis Ababa. India also offered support to Ethiopia under the G20 Common Framework on debt, including flexibility on repayments linked to earlier Indian lines of credit. During the visit, agreements were signed on UN peacekeeping training, mutual administrative assistance in customs matters, and the establishment of a data centre at Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The two sides also announced additional Indian Council for Cultural Relations scholarships, short AI courses for Ethiopians, and support for maternal and neonatal healthcare. In a post on X, Modi described the outcomes as “significant steps forward” in a trusted partnership, emphasising cooperation in governance, peacekeeping, digital capacity, education and healthcare, with a strong focus on people-centric development. Following the Ethiopia leg, Modi arrived in Muscat on Wednesday evening for the final stop of his three-nation tour. India and Oman are set to sign a free trade agreement, aimed at expanding opportunities in textiles, food processing, automobiles, auto components, and gems and jewellery. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has reached Muscat for the signing. Speaking at the Oman–India Business Forum, Goyal said the agreement would be Oman’s first major trade pact in nearly two decades and highlighted strong potential in sectors such as textiles, footwear, autos, gems and jewellery, agrochemicals and renewable energy. Oman’s Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion Qais Al Yousef noted that Indian investments in Oman have more than trebled since 2020 to USD 5 billion, spanning green steel, green ammonia, aluminium manufacturing and logistics. India already has a similar trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council member United Arab Emirates, which came into force in May 2022.

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