ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi articulated a compelling vision for South-South cooperation during his landmark visit to Ethiopia on Wednesday, marking the first-ever trip by an Indian head of government to the African nation. Addressing Ethiopian parliamentarians in a special session, Modi emphasized the shared destiny of developing nations in reshaping global dynamics.
“The Global South is actively scripting its own future, with India and Ethiopia united in this transformative vision,” declared the Prime Minister. “We envision a world where emerging nations advance not in opposition to others, but for the benefit of all—a world characterized by equitable development, accessible technology, and respected sovereignty.”
The bilateral engagement yielded substantial agreements as both nations signed multiple memorandums of understanding covering diverse sectors. The partnership will encompass specialized training for United Nations peacekeeping forces, educational collaboration, and the establishment of a sophisticated data center within Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs infrastructure.
Significantly, India committed to supporting Ethiopia’s navigation of its substantial international debt burden through the G20 Common Framework mechanism while pledging enhanced cooperation in counterterrorism efforts. The visit was further distinguished by Prime Minister Modi receiving Ethiopia’s highest civilian honor, the “Great Honor Nishan Ethiopia,” presented by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed—marking the first time a foreign head of state has been accorded this recognition.
This diplomatic advancement occurs against the backdrop of Ethiopia’s strategic reorientation following its 2022 admission as a full member of the BRICS coalition, which includes nations such as Iran and Egypt. This membership represents part of Ethiopia’s broader strategy to cultivate new international partnerships after emerging from a devastating two-year civil conflict in the Tigray region.
The timing of strengthened India-Ethiopia relations coincides with deteriorating ties between Ethiopia and the United States. Washington suspended Ethiopia’s preferential trade access to American markets in 2022—a move that significantly impacted the country’s economic trajectory—and recently terminated humanitarian assistance programs following the cancellation of USAID-funded initiatives.
Beyond governmental cooperation, India maintains substantial people-to-connections with Ethiopia, serving as a preferred destination for medical tourism and higher education among Ethiopians seeking quality services at accessible costs that remain challenging to obtain domestically.