16 December,2025 08:39 PM IST | Addis Ababa | mid-day online correspondent
Ethiopian PM Dr Abiy Ahmed Ali drives PM Narendra Modi from Addis Ababa International Airport on Tuesday. Pic/X
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi arrived in Ethiopia on Tuesday for the second leg of his three-nation tour, aimed at strengthening ties between the two countries.
Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed Ali received PM Modi at the Addis Ababa International Airport. In a unique gesture, he personally drove the Indian Prime Minister to the hotel. On the way, he took the initiative of visiting the Science Museum and Friendship Park, which were not part of the official itinerary, news agency PTI reported.
During informal talks, PM Ali shared details about the varieties of Ethiopian coffee with his Indian counterpart. Sources said the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Ethiopian PM's gestures reflected remarkable respect for PM Modi.
"Celebrating age-old India-Ethiopia ties! Prime Minister @narendramodi arrives in Addis Ababa on his maiden bilateral visit to Ethiopia. In a special gesture, PM @AbiyAhmedAli came to personally receive him at the airport. Prime Minister was accorded a warm and colourful welcome," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on social media.
"Ethiopia is a key partner for India in the Global South and a fellow BRICS Member," he added.
During the visit, PM Modi will hold wide-ranging discussions with his Ethiopian counterpart on all aspects of India-Ethiopia bilateral ties.
"As partners in the Global South, the visit will be a reiteration of the shared commitment of the two nations to advance close ties of friendship and bilateral cooperation," a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs said before his departure from India.
In his first visit to Ethiopia, PM Modi will address a Joint Session of Parliament, sharing his thoughts on India's journey as the "Mother of Democracy" and highlighting the value of the India-Ethiopia partnership for the Global South, PTI reported. He will also meet the Indian diaspora during the two-day visit.
Addis Ababa is also the headquarters of the African Union, which in 2023 was admitted as a permanent member of the G20 during India's G20 Presidency.
PM Modi arrived in Ethiopia from Jordan, where he held a one-on-one meeting with King Abdullah II at the Husseiniya Palace on Monday, followed by delegation-level talks. India and Jordan also signed MoUs in culture, renewable energy, water management, digital public infrastructure, and a twinning arrangement between Petra and Ellora, aimed at boosting bilateral ties, PTI reported.
From Ethiopia, PM Modi will visit Oman, marking the final leg of his three-nation tour.
(With PTI inputs)
