Addis Ababa, Dec 17 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed gratitude to the people and Government of Ethiopia for conferring upon him the country’s highest award, the ‘Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia.’
Taking to social media platform X, PM Modi said, “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’ last evening. To be honoured by one of the world’s most ancient and rich civilisations is a matter of immense pride. This honour belongs to the countless Indians who have shaped and strengthened our partnership over the years.”
He added, “India remains committed to further cementing cooperation with Ethiopia to address evolving global challenges and also to create new opportunities.”
Highlighting the outcomes of his bilateral visit, PM Modi described the agreements as significant steps forward in the longstanding and trusted partnership between India and Ethiopia.
"From governance and peacekeeping to digital capacity and education, the focus remains on empowering our people. The emphasis on knowledge, skills, and innovation underscores our shared faith in youth as the drivers of tomorrow," he said.
He also noted that cooperation in healthcare "reflects a deeper commitment to human dignity and care for the most vulnerable."
PM said that these outcomes reflect an India-Ethiopia partnership focused on growth and people-centric development.
During the visit, several agreements were reached to strengthen bilateral cooperation. The two countries elevated their ties to a Strategic Partnership, signed an agreement on cooperation and mutual administrative assistance in customs matters, and inked an MoU for establishing a data centre at Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Both countries also finalised an implementing arrangement for cooperation in United Nations peacekeeping operations training, a MoU on debt restructuring under the G20 Common Framework, and agreements to double scholarships for Ethiopian students under the ICCR programme.
Additionally, Ethiopia will benefit from specialised short-term courses in Artificial Intelligence under India’s ITEC programme, and India will support the Mahatma Gandhi Hospital in Addis Ababa, particularly in maternal and neonatal care.
Prime Minister Modi will travel to Oman on Wednesday at the invitation of Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, marking the final leg of his three-nation tour, which also included Jordan and Ethiopia.
This will be his second visit to Oman, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries and following Sultan Haitham bin Tariq’s state visit to India in December 2023, reflecting the high-level political engagement between New Delhi and Muscat.
UNI AAB