Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday addressed a joint session of the Ethiopian Parliament, a special honour accorded to him during his first bilateral visit to the African nation.
Extending greetings from the people of India, the Prime Minister said it was a privilege to speak before the Ethiopian Parliament, which he described as a temple of democracy, and through it, to the citizens of Ethiopia. He thanked the Ethiopian government and people for conferring upon him the country’s highest civilian award, the Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia, and welcomed the elevation of India-Ethiopia relations to a strategic partnership during the visit.
Highlighting the deep-rooted civilisational links between the two countries, PM Modi noted that both India and Ethiopia draw strength from ancient wisdom while pursuing modern aspirations. He pointed out that India’s national song “Vande Mataram” and Ethiopia’s national anthem both refer to the land as “Mother,” reflecting a shared cultural ethos.
Recalling the historical bonds between the two nations, the Prime Minister referred to the role played by Indian soldiers who fought alongside Ethiopians during the country’s liberation in 1941. He said it was an honour to pay tribute at the Adwa Victory Monument, which symbolises Ethiopia’s resistance and sacrifices in the struggle against colonialism.
PM Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with Ethiopia and recalled the contribution of Indian teachers and businesses to the country’s development. He shared India’s experiences in areas such as digital public infrastructure, food processing and innovation, and expressed India’s readiness to continue supporting Ethiopia’s development priorities. Referring to India’s guiding principle of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” – the world is one family – he noted India’s role in supplying vaccines to Ethiopia during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Emphasising cooperation among countries of the Global South, the Prime Minister said India and Ethiopia must work together to amplify the voice of developing nations. He thanked Ethiopia for its support in global efforts to combat terrorism.
Highlighting Addis Ababa’s role as the headquarters of the African Union, PM Modi said India was honoured to have facilitated the African Union’s inclusion as a permanent member of the G20 during India’s presidency. He added that India-Africa ties have expanded significantly over the past 11 years, with more than 100 high-level visits exchanged. He also reiterated India’s proposal to launch the Africa Skills Multiplier Initiative to train one million trainers across the continent.
The Prime Minister thanked the Speaker of the Ethiopian Parliament for the opportunity to share India’s journey with a fellow democracy, noting that the Global South is writing its own destiny.
