PM Modi Addresses Ethiopian Parliament, Pledges Stronger Ties
Modi arrived in Ethiopia on Tuesday on his maiden bilateral visit, during which the two countries elevated their historical ties to the level of 'Strategic Partnership'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday addressed the Joint Session of Ethiopian Parliament and thanked the nation for standing by India in its hour of grief during the Pahalgam terror attack and affirming the commitment of zero tolerance towards terrorism. He termed the two nations as natural partners in regional peace, security and connectivity.
PM’s address to the Ethiopian Parliament was a special honour accorded to Mr Modi who is on his first bilateral visit to the country. After his speech the PM was given a long standing ovation by the members of the Ethiopian Parliament. This was the 18th parliament in the world that Prime Minister Modi has addressed. After his event at the Parliament, Mr Modi also planted a sapling at the Ethiopian House of People's Representatives
Later, PM left for Oman from Ethiopia on the last leg of his four-day, three-nation visit. The Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed Ali drove Mr Modi to the airport and personally bid farewell to him as he departed for Oman. In Muscat, PM was received by Oman’s Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs Sayyid Shihab bin Tarik Al Said and was accorded a ceremonial welcome. He also attended a banquet hosted by the deputy PM.
In Addis Ababa, prior to reaching the Ethiopian Parliament, Mr Modi laid a wreath at the Adwa Victory Monument, a memorial dedicated to the Ethiopian soldiers who died at the Battle of Adwa in 1896. “Prime Minister’s visit to the memorial highlights a special historical connection between India and Ethiopia that continues to be cherished by the people of the two countries,” the Ministry of External Affairs said.
In his speech at Ethiopia’s Parliament, PM Modi thanked the people and Government of Ethiopia for bestowing on him the highest award, Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia. Given the salience of the relationship, PM expressed deep satisfaction that the age-old ties between the two countries have been elevated to a strategic partnership during the visit.
"Ethiopia sits at a crossroads of Africa. India stands at the heart of the Indian Ocean. We are natural partners in regional peace, security and connectivity," Mr Modi said. “
Alluding to the shared struggle of the two countries, PM highlighted the contribution of Indian soldiers who fought alongside fellow Ethiopians for their liberation in 1941.
PM conveyed India’s commitment to enhance and build stronger India-Ethiopia partnership. In this regard, he recalled the contribution of Indian teachers and Indian businesses to the growth and prosperity of Ethiopia.
“Our commitment to mutual security became stronger with the signing of the Defence Cooperation Agreement earlier this year. This agreement focuses on closer military cooperation. It includes collaboration in cybersecurity, in defence industries, in joint research, and in capacity building,” Mr Modi said. He thanked Ethiopia for their solidarity in strengthening the global fight against terrorism
He shared India’s development experiences, including in the fields of digital public infrastructure, food processing and innovation and conveyed India’s readiness to continue its development support to Ethiopia in keeping with the latter’s priorities. He mentioned that it was a privilege for India to supply Ethiopia with vaccines during the Covid pandemic.
“Today, Indian companies are among the largest foreign investors in Ethiopia. They have invested more than $5 billion in diverse sectors like textiles, manufacturing, agriculture, health, and more. And, they have created more than 75,000 local jobs, Mr Modi said.
Later, after bidding goodbye to Mr Modi, Ethiopia PM Abiy said wrote in a social media post, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, I hope we will get an opportunity to meet again. Our nations will always be connected by historical, cultural and diplomatic ties."
On Tuesday, the two nations signed Memoranda of Understanding in the fields of UN Peacekeeping Operations Training, Mutual Administrative Assistance in the Customs Matters, and the establishment of a Data Centre at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia. The two sides also announced debt restructuring under G20, more Indian Council for Cultural Relations scholarships and AI short courses for Ethiopians, and support for maternal and neonatal healthcare.
Modi is visiting Oman at the invitation of Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, with whom he will hold discussions on strengthening the Strategic Partnership as well as a strong commercial and economic relationship. The visit will mark 70 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and follows the state visit of Sultan Tarik to India in December 2023. Modi is also scheduled to address a gathering of the Indian diaspora in Oman. It will be his second visit to Oman. India and Oman will sign a free trade agreement on Thursday in Muscat.
