I am truly delighted to be visiting Ethiopia. This is my first visit to your country, but the moment I set foot here, I experienced a deep sense of belonging and warmth. India and Ethiopia share thousands of years of continuous contact, dialogue, and exchange. Enriched by multiple languages and rich traditions, both our nations stand as symbols of unity in diversity. Our countries are democratic forces committed to peace and the welfare of humanity. We are companions and partners of the Global South, and we have stood shoulder to shoulder on international platforms.
The presence of the African Union headquarters in Ethiopia makes your country a focal point of African diplomacy. Guided by our shared vision of an inclusive world, India ensured in 2023 that the African Union became a member of the G20. Taking all these aspects into account, today we are elevating India–Ethiopia relations to the level of a Strategic Partnership. This step will infuse our relationship with new energy, renewed momentum, and greater depth.
To realise the immense possibilities of the future, a clear roadmap will be prepared. Today, we had the opportunity to deliberate on key dimensions of our cooperation, including the economy, innovation, technology, defence, health, capacity building, and multilateral cooperation. I am pleased that we have decided today to double the number of student scholarships for Ethiopia in India.
Excellency,
I sincerely thank you for your condolences on the Pahalgam terrorist attack and for your support in our fight against terrorism. The support of friendly nations in this struggle is of immense importance to us. Once again, I express my heartfelt gratitude to you for the warm and gracious hospitality extended to me and my delegation.
