India-Ethiopia relations: How the 2,000-year-old bond entered a new strategic phase after PM Modi’s visit explainer news

Last updated:December 17, 2025, 16:21 IST

PM Modi’s visit to Ethiopia underlined the comprehensive partnership shaped by historical connections and modern diplomatic, economic and cultural engagement.

The visit also included a display of cultural diplomacy Vande Mataram The performance, sung by Ethiopian singers, was described by PM Modi as “deeply touching”.

These developments come as India and Ethiopia are witnessing a massive uptick in engagement shaped by long historical ties, expanding development cooperation, strong trade and investment ties and growing engagement within regional and global platforms. The upgrade to a strategic partnership formalizes this momentum and aligns the relationship with India’s broader Africa outreach.

During his address to the Ethiopian Parliament, PM Modi presented India’s democratic and economic trajectory as a model for South-South cooperation, based on shared anti-colonial experience and India’s long-standing partnership with Africa.

How have India-Ethiopia relations evolved over time?

India and Ethiopia share one of the oldest recorded relations in Africa, with documented ties dating back approximately 2,000 years. Trade flourished during the Axumite Empire, when Indian traders exchanged silk and spices for Ethiopian gold and ivory through the ancient port of Adulis. Over the centuries, Indians from Goa and later Gujarat became part of Ethiopia’s social and commercial landscape.

Indian soldiers, too, made significant contributions to Ethiopia’s history: more than 13,000 Indian soldiers took part in the 1868 campaign to liberate hostages at Maqdala, and Indian divisions were involved in ending the Italian occupation between 1936 and 1941.

Formal diplomatic relations began soon after India’s independence. A goodwill mission led by Sardar Sant Singh visited Ethiopia in the late 1940s, and diplomatic relations were established at the legation level in 1948. Full relations were established in 1950 with Sant Singh being appointed as the first ambassador.

Since then, the relationship has expanded into political, economic, defense and cultural spheres. High-level engagement has intensified in recent years: according to the Ministry of External Affairs, Modi and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali have met on the sidelines of global forums such as the BRICS and G20 summits to discuss cooperation in technology, skills, trade, defense and agriculture.

Ethiopia has also participated in the Voice of the Global South Summit chaired by India. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has visited Addis Ababa several times and discussed bilateral cooperation, regional development and multilateral coordination within the African Union and the United Nations.

What were the main results of PM Modi’s visit?

PM Modi’s visit to Ethiopia on the second leg of his three-nation visit produced a number of agreements, which both sides described as important steps forward. The countries signed three MoUs in the areas of UN peacekeeping operations training, mutual administrative assistance in customs matters and the establishment of a data center at the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

They also announced the decision to elevate ties to a strategic partnership, expand scholarships through the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, launch AI short courses for Ethiopian learners and strengthen cooperation in maternal and newborn health care.

PM Modi said the results “mark an important step forward in our long-term and trusting partnership.” From governance and peacekeeping to digital capacity and education, “the focus is on empowering people,” he said.

He further said that “the emphasis on knowledge, skills and innovation underlines our shared belief in youth as the drivers of tomorrow,” and said that cooperation in health care reflects “a deep commitment to human dignity and care for the most vulnerable.”

Cultural diplomacy also featured prominently. At a banquet hosted by the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, three Ethiopian singers performed Vande MataramModi wrote on Twitter: “At yesterday’s banquet hosted by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, there was a wonderful rendition of ‘Vande Mataram’ by Ethiopian singers, It was a very touching moment, that too at a time when we are celebrating 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’,”

What does an upgrade mean in a strategic partnership?

The promotion of strategic partnership signals formal recognition of the expanding scope of India-Ethiopia relations. It aligns existing cooperation in areas such as trade, development, defence, agriculture, education and technology under a more structured framework.

Defense cooperation has grown steadily, with a defense MoU signed in 2025 and the first joint defense cooperation meeting held in New Delhi in the same year. Ethiopia has also engaged with India through security and governance related institutions, including forensic training for the Ethiopian Federal Police and defense dialogue during international events such as Aero India.

Ethiopia’s role as host of the African Union Headquarters further enhances the multilateral dimension of the partnership. The two countries consult regularly on AU affairs, UN coordination and South-South cooperation. Ethiopia’s participation in the Voice of the Global South Summit, chaired by India, underlines the shared position on global governance and development issues.

The strategic partnership also reflects the growing role of Indian industry in Ethiopia, where investments of over US$5 billion – particularly in manufacturing and pharmaceuticals – have created over 75,000 jobs.

Therefore, the upgrade reflects cumulative engagement across the political, security, economic and multilateral domains.

How important are trade and investment relations today?

India and Ethiopia have strong economic relations. India was Ethiopia’s second largest trading partner in 2023-24, with bilateral trade reaching $571.52 million. Indian exports were worth $489.59 million, consisting mainly of primary and semi-finished iron and steel products, pharmaceuticals, machinery, equipment and metallurgical products. Ethiopia’s exports to India totaled $81.93 million and included pulses, vegetables and seeds, leather, spices and precious or semi-precious stones.

Investment relations are equally important. About 650 Indian companies have made licensed investments worth more than $5 billion in Ethiopia, of which about $3 billion has been realized. These investments include agriculture, floriculture, cotton and textiles, manufacturing, engineering, plastics, water management and consultancy services.

Development cooperation has also increased. Ethiopia is one of the largest recipients of India’s long-term concessional lines of credit in Africa, having approved over $1 billion for projects in rural electrification, sugar industry development and railways. These initiatives, along with grants and technical assistance, are in line with Ethiopia’s development priorities.

How important are people-to-people and cultural ties?

People-to-people ties have long strengthened bilateral ties. Indian communities have been present in Ethiopia since the late 19th century, and, as noted by the Ministry of External Affairs, thousands of Indian teachers served in Ethiopia during the imperial era. This legacy continues today with about 150 Indian faculty members in Ethiopian universities and institutions of higher learning. Expatriates, estimated at around 2,500, remain active in education, business and cultural life.

Cultural exchange in 2025 reflects the depth of these ties. The Indian Embassy in Addis Ababa organized a wide range of cultural initiatives, including celebrations of festivals such as Onam, Janmashtami, Ganesh Chaturthi and Rath Yatra, yoga sessions, environment-day activities, literary events and commemorations such as World Hindi Day, all of which strengthened the cultural engagement between the two countries.

Where do India-Ethiopia relations begin?

Strategic partnership, exchange of MOUs and Ethiopia’s decision to give its highest award to PM Modi all point to an upward trend in relations. Both sides have identified development, technology, digital infrastructure, skills, health, defense and trade as areas where cooperation will deepen.

Multilateral engagement will also shape the future of the partnership. With Ethiopia now a member of BRICS, both countries have an additional platform for coordination alongside their existing engagement through the African Union, United Nations and South-South platforms.

read more