Ethiopia and India have officially elevated their bilateral relations to the level of a strategic partnership. The new status was announced following talks in Addis Ababa between Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This was reported by Fana Media Corporation.
The key outcome of the meeting was the signing of a package of agreements covering economics, security and institutional cooperation. In particular, the parties agreed on mutual administrative assistance in customs matters, which should simplify trade procedures and enhance transparency of foreign economic transactions. Additionally, a memorandum was signed on the establishment of a data processing center under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, as well as an agreement on cooperation within the framework of UN peacekeeping missions.
Speaking after the talks, Abiy Ahmed stressed that the new partnership is based on deep historical ties between the two countries and corresponds to the logic of cooperation between the countries of the Global South.
"Today we decided to raise relations between Ethiopia and India from the level of historical ties to the level of strategic relations. We have thousands of years of relations in the fields of trade, diplomacy, education, culture, and even in our cuisine and traditions. <...> Our cooperation is based on equality and self-sufficiency. It is rooted in South–South cooperation and is in line with development priorities identified and led by Africa," the Ethiopian Prime Minister said.
For his part, Narendra Modi noted that the decision on strategic partnership will give additional dynamics to all areas of cooperation. He also announced India's intention to double the number of scholarships for Ethiopian students, which should strengthen educational and humanitarian ties.
"Today we are raising relations between India and Ethiopia to the level of a strategic partnership. This will give a new impetus and depth to our cooperation," stressed the head of the Indian government.
The economic dimension of the new format of interaction plays a key role. India is already one of the largest investors in Ethiopia's economy, with more than 615 Indian companies operating in the country, involved in industry, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and infrastructure. An additional factor in the rapprochement was the fact that in 2023, India supported the entry of the African Union, whose headquarters are located in Addis Ababa, into the G20.
Thus, the strategic partnership between Ethiopia and India forms a stable foundation for expanding trade, technological exchange, training and joint work in the field of international security, strengthening the role of both countries in the architecture of cooperation in the Global South.
