Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred Ethiopia's highest honour, 'The Great Honor Nishan of Ethiopia,' marking a significant milestone in India-Ethiopia relations. PM Modi is the first global head of state/head of Government to receive this award.
In a special ceremony hosted at the Addis International Convention Centre today, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali conferred the highest award to PM Modi for his exceptional contribution towards strengthening India-Ethiopia partnership and for his visionary leadership as a global statesman, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement in New Delhi.
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PM Modi dedicates the award to Indians
Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Modi said, "To be here amid all of you, in this great land of Ethiopia, is a matter of great fortune for me. This afternoon, I landed in Ethiopia. As soon as I reached here, the people here made me feel wonderful familiarity and affection. The Prime Minister came to receive me at the airport. He took me to Friendship Park and the Science Museum."
PM Modi expressed his heartfelt gratitude to his Ethiopian counterpart and the people of Ethiopia for this honour. He expressed appreciation for the leadership of PM Abiy and his initiatives to promote national unity, sustainability, and inclusive development.
He noted that it was an honor for him to accept the award from one of the most ancient civilizations of the world, and he did so with a deep sense of humility and gratitude.
Prime Minister Modi dedicated the award to all those – Indians and Ethiopians - who have nurtured the bilateral ties for ages and conveyed heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the 1.4 billion Indians for being bestowed with this honour. The conferment of the award marks a milestone in the close partnership between India and Ethiopia and in furthering the positive agenda of the Global South.
"Just now, I have been conferred with the highest award of the country - The Great Honor Nishan of Ethiopia. To be honoured by a very ancient and prosperous civilisation of the world is a matter of great pride for me. On behalf of all Indians, I humbly accept this honour. This award is for all those numerous Indians who shaped our partnership," said PM Modi.
PM Modi holds talks with his Ethiopian counterpart
Prime Minister Modi met his Ethiopian counterpart, Abiy Ahmed Ali, and held discussions on issues of bilateral and mutual interest. In a major decision, both leaders decided to elevate bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership.
The leaders discussed ways to expand and deepen bilateral cooperation in areas of trade and investment, innovation and technology, education, defence, health, food security, agriculture, renewable energy, and digital public infrastructure. They also recalled age-old historical bonds between our two countries nurtured by strong people-to-people ties. They also exchanged views on regional and global developments.
Following the talks, both leaders witnessed the exchange of MoUs in the following fields:
- UN Peacekeeping Operations Training
- Mutual Administrative Assistance in Custom Matters
- Establishment of Data Centre at the Ethiopia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs
These MoUs will benefit people through improved services, smoother trade, and stronger public systems.
PM Abiy Ali drives PM Modi to hotel in a special gesture
PM Modi, who arrived from Jordan on his maiden bilateral visit to Ethiopia, was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the National Palace ahead of the talks.
In a warm and special gesture, the Ethiopian Prime Minister personally received PM Modi at the airport and extended a colourful welcome. In an unprecedented move, Abiy Ahmed himself drove Modi to the hotel.
During the journey, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Ethiopian leader also took PM Modi to the Science Museum and Friendship Park, which was not in the itinerary.
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