Modi strengthens ties with focus on food, health, and technology.
In a landmark diplomatic development on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi successfully upgraded the bilateral relationship between New Delhi and Addis Ababa, officially establishing an India-Ethiopia Strategic Partnership. During his two-day visit to the African nation, PM Modi held extensive and productive discussions with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, laying out a robust roadmap for future cooperation.
To strengthen this newfound partnership, Prime Minister Modi identified three essential pillars that will guide the nations forward: ensuring food and health security, enhancing capacity building, and expanding Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).
The leaders committed to a deep collaboration in the agricultural sector to address food security challenges. This initiative will focus on adopting sustainable agricultural practices, promoting natural farming, and integrating modern agri-tech solutions. Beyond agriculture, the talks also highlighted the importance of health security, with plans to boost cooperation in pharmaceuticals, digital health, and medical tourism.
A major highlight of the visit was the focus on youth and education. Under the capacity-building pillar, India announced a significant expansion of educational ties. PM Modi revealed that India will introduce specialized programmes in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and, crucially, will double the number of scholarships available for Ethiopian students. This move is designed to open up more higher education opportunities in India, thereby strengthening the people-to-people connection between the two countries.
On the technological front, both nations agreed to work extensively on Digital Public Infrastructure to foster innovation and economic growth. The discussions also touched upon promising sectors such as renewable energy and critical minerals.
The diplomatic engagement yielded several concrete outcomes. Notably, India and Ethiopia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding debt restructuring under the G20 Common Framework, demonstrating India’s support for Ethiopia’s economic stability. Additionally, agreements were reached regarding the establishment of a data centre and training for UN peacekeeping missions.
Amidst the official talks, Prime Minister Modi also took time to appreciate the cultural heritage of the host nation. He visited the National Palace Museum in Addis Ababa, accompanied by PM Abiy Ahmed Ali, where he was given a tour of Ethiopia’s rich history and traditions. PM Modi expressed his gratitude for the warm ceremonial welcome he received upon his arrival, marking a new chapter in the enduring friendship between the two nations.
