In a landmark diplomatic engagement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday became the first Indian Prime Minister to address a joint session of the Ethiopian Parliament in Addis Ababa. This historic address marked the 18th parliament globally where PM Modi has spoken, underscoring India's deepening engagement with African nations.
A Historic Address in the 'Land of Lions'
Speaking from what he termed the 'temple of democracy', PM Modi expressed his honour at standing before the Ethiopian legislature. He conveyed the greetings of 1.4 billion Indians to the people of Ethiopia. The Prime Minister drew a poignant parallel between Ethiopia, known as the 'land of lions', and his home state of Gujarat, which is also famed for its Asiatic lions, stating he felt a sense of familiarity and warmth.
"It is a moment of great privilege for me to stand before you today. I feel honoured to be here in the temple of democracy, in the heart of a nation with ancient wisdom and modern aspirations," PM Modi told the assembled lawmakers.
Strengthening Civilisational and Strategic Bonds
The Prime Minister eloquently highlighted the profound cultural and civilisational connections linking India and Ethiopia. He pointed out a unique similarity: both India's national song 'Vande Mataram' and Ethiopia's national anthem reverence their respective lands as a mother, instilling a deep sense of pride and duty towards the motherland.
Emphasising the philosophy of people-centric governance, PM Modi noted, "When the wheel of the state moves in harmony with the wheel of the people, the wheel of progress moves forward with hope and purpose." He extended his message through the parliamentarians to Ethiopian farmers, entrepreneurs, women leaders, and the youth shaping the nation's future.
This address followed extensive talks on Tuesday between PM Modi and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali. The cornerstone of these discussions was the significant elevation of bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership.
Concrete Outcomes and High Honour
The new Strategic Partnership framework is set to bolster cooperation across several critical sectors. Key areas of focus identified during the talks include:
- Food and Health Security
- Capacity Building and Skill Development
- Digital Public Infrastructure
- Pharmaceuticals and Medical Tourism
- Energy and Critical Minerals
In a distinguished gesture, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali conferred upon PM Modi the Grand Honour 'Nishan' of Ethiopia, the country's highest civilian award. Accepting the honour with humility, PM Modi stated he did so on behalf of the people of India.
The visit was further marked by a deeply symbolic cultural moment. At a banquet hosted in his honour, Ethiopian singers performed a rendition of 'Vande Mataram', which PM Modi described as profoundly moving, especially during the 150th-anniversary year of the song. He shared the experience on social media platform X.
PM Modi's itinerary also included a visit to the Adwa Museum and paying respects at the Adwa Victory Memorial on Wednesday, acknowledging the historical struggle and shared narratives of independence that bind the two nations.
