Hailing the ties between India and Ethiopia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that the two nations share a vision of a world where the Global South rises not against anyone, but for everyone.
While addressing the Joint Session of the Ethiopian Parliament on Wednesday, PM Modi said, “The global south is writing its own destiny. India and Ethiopia share a vision for each other. Our vision is of a world where the Global South rises not against anyone, but for everyone.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India’s relationship with Africa has strengthened significantly over the past 11 years under his leadership. He noted that more than 100 high-level visits between India and African nations have taken place during this period.
Recalling historical ties, PM Modi said India and Ethiopia entered a new phase of cooperation in modern times when Indian soldiers fought alongside Ethiopians during the country’s liberation in 1941. He added that formal diplomatic relations began soon after India gained independence, but people-to-people connections had started much earlier.
“Our formal diplomatic relations began soon after India became independent. But, even before embassies were set up, our people had already started writing a new chapter together,” PM Modi added.
Highlighting India’s role during the COVID-19 pandemic, PM Modi said India acted with a sense of global responsibility despite having limited resources. PM Modi said India supplied medicines and vaccines to over 150 countries during the crisis and provided Ethiopia with more than four million vaccine doses.
“During the COVID pandemic, the entire world was worried. It was a very difficult time. Despite limited resources, we considered it our sacred duty to humanity to do everything possible to help others. India sent medicines and vaccines to more than 150 countries. It was India’s proud privilege to supply Ethiopia with over 4 million vaccine doses,” PM Modi said.
PM Modi also announced that he and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali have agreed to upgrade bilateral ties to a strategic partnership. He said this decision will strengthen cooperation in areas such as technology, innovation, mining, sustainability and clean energy.
“Today, Indian companies are among the largest foreign investors in Ethiopia. They have invested more than USD 5 billion in diverse sectors like textiles, manufacturing, agriculture, health and more, and they have created more than 75000 local jobs. But, I’m sure we can all agree our partnership has a lot more potential, that’s why Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed and I took a big step forward yesterday. We have decided to elevate our bilateral relationship to the level of a strategic partnership,” PM Modi said.
Prime Minister Modi further said that Indian companies are among the biggest foreign investors in Ethiopia, with investments exceeding USD 5 billion across sectors including textiles, manufacturing, agriculture and healthcare. These investments, he added, have generated over 75,000 jobs in Ethiopia. PM Modi said both leaders believe there is much greater potential in the partnership, which led to the decision to elevate relations to a strategic level.
