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. He received a standing ovation from lawmakers ahead of his address.
Addressing the session, PM Modi said, “It is a moment of great privilege to stand before you today. It is wonderful to be here in Ethiopia, the land of lions. I feel very much at home because my home state, Gujarat in India, is also home to lions.”
PM Modi said it was a privilege to speak in what he described as a “temple of democracy” and conveyed greetings of friendship, goodwill and brotherhood from the people of India to Ethiopia.
The Prime Minister thanked the Ethiopian government and people for conferring on him the country’s highest civilian honour, the ‘Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia’, which he said he accepted with humility on behalf of 1.4 billion Indians.
Highlighting deep civilisational links, PM Modi said both India and Ethiopia blend ancient wisdom with modern ambition. Drawing parallels between the two nations, he noted that India’s national song ‘Vande Mataram’ and Ethiopia’s national anthem both refer to the land as mother, reflecting shared cultural values and reverence for the motherland.
Recalling historical ties, he referred to Indian soldiers who fought alongside Ethiopians during the liberation struggle in 1941 and said it was an honour to pay tribute at the Adwa Victory Monument earlier in the day. He also spoke about people-to-people ties, particularly the role of thousands of Indian teachers who contributed to Ethiopia’s education sector and Ethiopian students who studied in India and later helped build modern Ethiopia.
PM Modi said Indian companies have invested over $5 billion in Ethiopia across sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, health and textiles, creating more than 75,000 local jobs. He announced that India and Ethiopia had decided to elevate their bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership, aimed at expanding cooperation in technology, innovation, mining, clean energy, food security, health, capacity building, defence and security.
Sharing India’s development experience, the Prime Minister highlighted the country’s Digital Public Infrastructure and said India was ready to share its expertise as Ethiopia implements its Digital Ethiopia 2025 strategy. He also noted that India was honoured to partner with Ethiopia in developing a data centre for its Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
On healthcare cooperation, PM Modi recalled India’s role during the COVID-19 pandemic, stating that India supplied medicines and over four million vaccine doses to Ethiopia despite global challenges. He said cooperation in healthcare would continue to expand, including in pharmaceuticals, hospitals, telemedicine and capacity building.
Emphasising regional and global cooperation, the Prime Minister said India and Ethiopia, as nations of the Global South, must work together to amplify the voice of developing countries. He thanked Ethiopia for its solidarity following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam earlier this year and for its commitment to zero tolerance towards terrorism.
Drawing attention to democratic values, PM Modi noted similarities between the constitutions of the two countries, saying both place the people at the centre of national destiny. He said democracy is a way of life shaped by debate, diversity and the rule of law.
The Prime Minister also spoke about environmental responsibility, linking India’s ‘Ek Ped, Maa Ke Naam’ initiative with Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative. Stressing the principle of trusteeship advocated by Mahatma Gandhi, he said nations must protect the planet for future generations and work together on renewable energy, green jobs and climate justice.
Concluding his address, PM Modi said India and Ethiopia share a vision for the Global South that focuses on inclusive development, accessible technology, respect for sovereignty, shared prosperity and peace. He reaffirmed India’s commitment to walking alongside Ethiopia as an equal partner and trusted friend.
