Senior leaders including Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and BJP President JP Nadda on Wednesday congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he was conferred with Ethiopia’s highest civilian award, the ‘Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia’, calling it a moment of pride for the country and a milestone in India-Ethiopia relations.
PM Modi was conferred with the honour by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali on Tuesday, becoming the first global Head of State or Government to receive the award. It is also the 28th top foreign state honour conferred on him by a foreign nation.
In a post on X, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said, “Heartiest congratulations to Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji – the first global Head of State/Government – on being conferred with Ethiopia’s highest civilian honour, the ‘Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia’. This prestigious recognition reflects the world’s respect for India’s rising global stature under his visionary leadership and also underscores the growing strength of India–Africa relations. A moment of immense pride for every Indian.”
Home Minister Amit Shah said that the award reflected India’s rising stature on the global stage.
“A moment of pride for every Indian. Congratulations to PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji on being bestowed with Ethiopia’s highest award, the ‘Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia.’ It is the 28th accolade to Modi Ji’s statesmanship by a foreign nation, signifying Bharat’s rising stature in global diplomacy under his leadership. This honour will remain a milestone in the friendship between India and Ethiopia,” Shah said.
BJP President JP Nadda also hailed the recognition, describing it as a reflection of global trust in India’s leadership.
“A moment of great honour for 1.4 billion people of India! My heartfelt congratulations to Hon. PM Shri Narendra Modi ji on being conferred with Ethiopia’s highest honour, the ‘Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia’. This 28th international honour reflects the world’s trust in PM Modi Ji’s leadership and highlights India’s rising stature on the world stage,” he said.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said the conferment was a recognition of India’s commitment to the Global South.
“The conferment of Ethiopia’s highest award, the ‘Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia’, is a proud moment for Indians across the world. A recognition of PM Modi’s unwavering commitment to the Global South and his contributions towards strengthening India–Ethiopia friendship,” Jaishankar said.
According to the MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, the honour commemorated the deep civilisational ties between the two countries and recognised Prime Minister Modi’s role in strengthening bilateral relations.
Reacting to the honour, PM Modi expressed gratitude to the people and Government of Ethiopia.
“Grateful to the people and Government of Ethiopia as well as Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali for conferring upon me the ‘Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia’. To be honoured by one of the world’s most ancient and rich civilisations is a matter of immense pride,” he said in a post on X.
Dedicating the award, the Prime Minister said it belonged to generations of Indians who had strengthened India–Ethiopia ties.
“This honour belongs to the countless Indians who have shaped our partnership – whether Gujarati traders, Indian soldiers who fought for Ethiopia’s liberation, or teachers and industrialists who helped build the future through education and investment,” he said.
PM Modi added that India remained committed to further strengthening cooperation with Ethiopia to address global challenges and create new opportunities.
The award was conferred during PM Modi’s visit to Ethiopia, which also saw India and Ethiopia elevate their bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership, marking a significant milestone in relations between the two countries.
