Special welcome for PM Modi in Ethiopia as Abiy Ahmed Ali personally drives him to hotel

During the drive, Prime Minister Abiy took PM Modi to the Science Museum and Friendship Park—stops that were not part of the official itinerary.

The gesture by the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Ethiopian leader was seen as a mark of deep respect and warmth towards the Indian Prime Minister.

This is PM Modi’s first visit to Ethiopia. During his two-day stay, he is scheduled to address a joint session of the Ethiopian Parliament, where he will share India’s democratic journey and highlight the country’s role as the “Mother of Democracy.”

He is also expected to underline the importance of the India–Ethiopia partnership for the Global South.

Prime Minister Modi will hold wide-ranging discussions with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on strengthening bilateral ties, including political engagement, development cooperation, trade, investment and people-to-people links.

He will also interact with members of the Indian diaspora in Ethiopia.

Ahead of the visit, the Ministry of External Affairs said the trip would reaffirm the shared commitment of both nations to deepen friendship and bilateral cooperation as partners in the Global South.

PM Modi arrived in Ethiopia from Jordan, where he was on a visit from December 15 to 16 at the invitation of King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein. Following Ethiopia, he will travel to Oman on the third leg of his tour.

India’s engagement with Ethiopia has been steadily expanding, with Addis Ababa viewed as a key and reliable partner for New Delhi in Africa and across the Global South. Officials said the visit is expected to provide fresh momentum to bilateral cooperation in several priority areas.