India and Ethiopia are like a family, working together towards a more just and peaceful world: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that India and Ethiopia are working together as members of one family to build a more just, equitable, and peaceful world. He made these remarks while addressing a joint session of the Ethiopian Parliament this morning.

Referring to the aspirations of the Global South, the Prime Minister said that the Global South is now shaping its own future. India and Ethiopia, he said, share the same perspective on this issue. According to him, this vision is of a world where the Global South is not against anyone, but moves forward for the benefit of all.

Highlighting the ancient ties between the two countries, Prime Minister Modi said that unity is strength and cooperation is power. As ancient civilizations, India and Ethiopia stand together today. He noted that over the past 11 years of his government, connectivity and cooperation between the two countries have increased manifold.

Referring to the current global scenario, the Prime Minister said that today’s world is not the world of 1945. Therefore, decision-making processes must reflect present-day realities. He added that the world cannot move forward if it remains stuck in outdated structures.

After concluding his Ethiopia visit, the Prime Minister left for Oman, the final leg of his three-nation tour. Earlier, before addressing the joint session of Parliament, he paid floral tributes at the Adwa Victory Memorial in Addis Ababa.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali held extensive bilateral talks in Addis Ababa. Following the meeting, India and Ethiopia elevated their historic relationship to a “Strategic Partnership.”

Discussions were held on various issues of mutual interest, and a total of eight Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements were signed. These include upgrading the relationship to a strategic partnership, customs cooperation, establishment of a data centre at Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, cooperation in United Nations peacekeeping training, debt restructuring under the G20 framework, enhancement of ICCR scholarships, and short-term courses on artificial intelligence (AI) for Ethiopian citizens.

Commenting on the outcomes of the bilateral talks, Foreign Secretary Sudhakar Dalela said that elevating the relationship to the strategic level would give new momentum to the long-standing friendship between India and Ethiopia. He added that both countries are particularly keen on cooperation in the fields of education and digital public infrastructure.

Meanwhile, during the visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred Ethiopia’s highest civilian award, “The Great Honour of the Order of Ethiopia,” by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali.