Prime Minister Narendra Modi received an unusually warm and personal welcome in Ethiopia on Tuesday. Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed Ali greeted Modi at Addis Ababa airport and personally drove him to the hotel. Breaking the established diplomatic protocol, PM Ahmed also accompanied Modi to the Science Museum and Friendship Park en route. Notably, these stops were not part of the official itinerary.
Soon after his arrival, Prime Minister Modi acknowledged the special welcome extended by his Ethiopian counterpart. In a post on X, Modi said he was honoured by Abiy Ahmed’s gesture and described Ethiopia as a nation with a rich history and vibrant culture. “India and Ethiopia share deep civilisational ties. I look forward to engaging with the Ethiopian leadership to further strengthen our partnership in diverse areas,” he shared on X.
What’s the agenda of his visit?
Modi’s Ethiopia visit is part of an ongoing three-nation tour that also includes Jordan and Oman. The visit to Addis Ababa, scheduled from December 16 to 17, is expected to focus on expanding bilateral engagement and reinforcing cooperation between the two countries as key partners in the Global South.
At this state visit, Modi is set to hold detailed talks with his Ethiopian counterpart on political, economic and strategic aspects of India-Ethiopia relations. Addis Ababa’s role as the headquarters of the African Union figured prominently in the visit. Referring to this, Modi noted that the African Union was admitted as a permanent member of the G20 during India’s presidency in 2023, calling it a milestone for the Global South.
The Prime Minister is also expected to address a joint session of the Ethiopian Parliament and interact with members of the Indian diaspora living in the country. He said he looked forward to sharing India’s democratic journey and discussing how the India-Ethiopia partnership can contribute to the broader interests of developing nations.
Final leg of tour
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the visit aims to reaffirm the shared commitment of both countries to strengthen friendship and expand bilateral cooperation. In the final leg of his tour, Modi will travel to Oman from December 17 to 18 at the invitation of Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, where discussions will focus on deepening the long-standing strategic partnership between the two nations.