India elevates ties with Ethiopia; Modi pitches for shared Global South vision

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday announced the elevation of India-Ethiopia relations to a strategic partnership, unveiling an expansive roadmap for cooperation spanning technology, clean energy, defence, digital public infrastructure, agriculture and health, while pitching for a shared Global South vision rooted in equity, sovereignty and reform of global governance.

Addressing a joint session of the Ethiopian Parliament, Modi described Ethiopia as an ancient civilisation with modern aspirations and said India saw Addis Ababa as a natural partner in Africa and beyond. “If our beginning was shared, then our destiny must also be shared,” he said, invoking the civilisational links between the two countries and the Indian ethos of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (the entire world is a family).

Modi said the strategic partnership, as agreed with Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed on Tuesday, would unleash the potential of both economies through collaboration in innovation, mining, sustainability and clean energy, while strengthening food and health security, capacity building, trade, investment and defence cooperation.

Highlighting India’s growing economic footprint in Ethiopia, Modi noted that Indian companies had invested over $5 billion across sectors such as textiles, manufacturing, agriculture and healthcare, generating more than 75,000 local jobs in the African nation. “But our partnership has far more potential,” he asserted.

Placing strong emphasis on digital cooperation, Modi said India was ready to share its experience in digital public infrastructure as Ethiopia implements its ‘Digital Ethiopia 2025 Strategy’.

He confirmed that India would partner with Ethiopia in developing a data centre for its Foreign Ministry, calling it a mark of mutual trust.

Talking about the healthcare sector, Modi recalled India’s role during the Covid-19 pandemic, when it supplied medicines and vaccines to over 150 countries, including more than four million doses to Ethiopia. He said cooperation would now expand from pharmaceuticals and hospitals to telemedicine and capacity building.

The Indian Prime Minister also underlined the growing defence and security partnership, referring to the Defence Cooperation Agreement signed earlier this year. The pact covers military collaboration, cybersecurity, defence industries and joint research.

Modi also thanked Ethiopia for its solidarity following the April terror attack in Pahalgam and for its “zero tolerance” stance on terrorism.

Framing the relationship within a broader geopolitical vision, Modi said India and Ethiopia -- as vibrant democracies and leading voices of the Global South -- sought a world where development was fair, technology accessible and decision-making reflected contemporary realities, not the post-1945 order. He reiterated India’s call for a Global Development Compact and an Africa Skills Multiplier Initiative to train one million trainers.

He also welcomed Ethiopia’s growing global role, highlighting its inclusion in BRICS and recalling India’s support for the African Union’s permanent membership in the G20.

Earlier in the day, Modi laid a wreath at the Adwa Victory Monument, calling Ethiopia’s historic resistance to colonialism an inspiration for the developing world.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi held delegation-level talks with his Ethiopian counterpart Abiy Ahmed.
• The two leaders also met in one-on-one and restricted formats, reviewing the full spectrum of ties rooted in centuries-old civilisational links and sustained by strong people-to-people relations.
• Economic cooperation figured prominently in the talks, with both sides discussing digital public infrastructure, mining, critical minerals and clean energy.