Highlighting the outcomes of his visit to Ethiopia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the signing of several agreements is an “important” step towards strengthening the bilateral partnership based on “growth and people-centric development”.
Prime Minister Modi arrived on Tuesday on his first bilateral visit to Ethiopia. During this period, India and Ethiopia upgraded their historical relations to the level of ‘strategic partnership’. He also held talks with his Ethiopian counterpart Abiy Ahmed Ali on a wide range of issues, following which three MoUs were exchanged in the presence of the two leaders.
These MoUs relate to training of UN peacekeeping operations, mutual administrative assistance in customs matters and the establishment of a data center at the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Both sides also announced the elevation of relations to the status of ‘strategic partnership’, debt restructuring under the G-20, more Indian Council for Cultural Relations scholarships, short courses on Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Ethiopian citizens and support to maternal and newborn health services.
“These are important steps towards taking forward our long-standing and trusted partnership,” the Prime Minister wrote on social media platform ‘X’. He said that from governance and peacekeeping to digital capabilities and education, the focus remains on empowering people. He said, “The emphasis on knowledge, skills and innovation reflects our shared belief that we see youth as the shapers of the future. Cooperation in the health sector reflects a deep commitment to human dignity and care for the most vulnerable. These results show that India-Ethiopia partnership is based on development and people-centric development.
Sudhakar Dalela, Secretary (Economic Relations) in the Ministry of External Affairs, told a press conference on Wednesday that Prime Minister Modi expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for Ethiopia’s strong support in the common fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
Modi, who arrived here from Jordan, was also awarded Ethiopia’s highest honor ‘The Great Honor Mark of Ethiopia’. He is the first global head of state to receive this honour.
Prime Minister Modi will also address a joint session of Parliament on Wednesday and share his views on India’s journey as the “Mother of Democracy” and the contribution that the India-Ethiopia partnership can make to the ‘Global South’. After Ethiopia, the Prime Minister will visit Oman on the last leg of his three-nation visit.