• India, Ethiopia upgrade ties to strategic partnership during Modi visit

• Agreements cover data centre, debt restructuring, customs, peacekeeping

• India boosts health cooperation, scholarships, and AI training support

India and Ethiopia upgraded bilateral ties to a strategic partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first visit to the country on Dec. 16 and 17, signing several agreements aimed at strengthening cooperation across multiple sectors.

The partnership includes two memorandums of understanding. One concerns the establishment of a data center at Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while the other relates to the restructuring of Ethiopia’s debt under the G20 Common Framework.

The two countries also signed cooperation agreements covering mutual administrative assistance in customs matters and training for United Nations peacekeeping operations.

In addition, India will support capacity-building efforts at the Mahatma Gandhi Hospital in Addis Ababa in the areas of maternal health and neonatal care. New Delhi also announced an increase in the number of scholarships for Ethiopian researchers, as well as the organization of specialized short-term courses for Ethiopian students and professionals in artificial intelligence.

“India has been a longstanding partner of Ethiopia, and today’s meetings underscore our shared commitment to expanding collaboration across multiple sectors for the mutual benefit of our nations,” Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said.

Addis Ababa and New Delhi maintain close bilateral relations, underpinned by regular high-level political exchanges, including meetings between their prime ministers on the sidelines of multilateral summits, sector-specific official visits, and consultations between their foreign ministries.

More than 675 Indian companies are registered with the Ethiopian Investment Commission, representing investments exceeding $6.5 billion. Concentrated in strategic sectors such as manufacturing and pharmaceuticals, these investments have created more than 75,000 local jobs. The Indian community in Ethiopia is estimated at around 2,500 people, according to the Indian government.

Lydie Mobio