Special gesture as Ethiopian Prime Minister drives Modi to hotel
A unique and personal touch has become the highlight of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s current three-nation tour. In a remarkable display of friendship, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali personally took the wheel to drive PM Modi to his hotel after his arrival in the East African nation on Tuesday.
This special gesture marks the continuation of what is being called "car diplomacy." Just days prior, during the Jordan leg of the trip, Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II similarly drove the Indian Prime Minister to a museum in Amman.
A Warm Welcome in Addis Ababa
PM Modi is currently in Ethiopia for a two-day state visit, marking his first trip to the country. Upon landing at the Addis Ababa airport, he was received by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Bypassing standard protocol, the Ethiopian leader drove PM Modi to his destination.
On the way, the two leaders made unscheduled stops to visit the Friendship Park and the Science Museum. During the drive, they engaged in informal conversation, with PM Ahmed sharing insights about Ethiopia’s renowned coffee varieties.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) highlighted this moment on social media, describing it as a testament to the age-old ties between the two nations. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted that PM Modi was accorded a colourful and warm welcome upon his maiden bilateral visit.
Strengthening Ties with the Global South
This visit holds significant diplomatic weight. Addis Ababa serves as the headquarters for the African Union, which recently became a permanent member of the G20 under India’s presidency. Additionally, Ethiopia is a fellow member of the BRICS grouping.
During his stay, PM Modi is scheduled to address a Joint Session of the Ethiopian Parliament. He is expected to speak on India's role as the "Mother of Democracy" and the benefits of the India-Ethiopia partnership for the Global South. The itinerary also includes meetings with the Indian community living in the region.
The Three-Nation Tour
PM Modi arrived in Ethiopia following a successful visit to Jordan, where he met with King Abdullah II to discuss cooperation in renewable energy, water management, and culture. The final leg of this diplomatic tour will see the Prime Minister visiting Oman.
This trend of leaders driving the Indian Prime Minister began earlier with Russian President Vladimir Putin, signaling a new, personal level of rapport between Modi and world leaders.
