Addis Ababa [Ethiopia], December 17 (ANI): Ethiopia on Tuesday conferred its highest civilian honour, the Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia, on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, making him the first global Head of State or Head of Government to receive the award.
The honour was presented by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali. It marks the 28th top foreign state award conferred on Prime Minister Modi, underscoring his growing international recognition.
In his remarks after receiving the award, Prime Minister Modi said the honour belonged not to him alone but to the people of India. “Just now, I have been conferred with the highest award of the country, the Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia. To be honoured by one of the world’s most ancient and prosperous civilisations is a matter of great pride for me. On behalf of all Indians, I humbly accept this honour,” he said.
He added that the recognition reflected the collective contributions of Indians who have helped shape and strengthen the partnership between the two countries. Prime Minister Modi dedicated the award to the 140 crore people of India in a post on X.
Expressing gratitude to his Ethiopian counterpart, Prime Minister Modi recalled that Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed had personally invited him to visit Ethiopia during their meeting at the G20 Summit in South Africa last month. “How could I have turned down this invitation from my friend and my brother? At the first opportunity, I decided to come to Ethiopia,” he said.
Highlighting the historic role of education in India–Ethiopia relations, Prime Minister Modi praised Indian teachers who have contributed to Ethiopia’s academic and intellectual development over generations. He said education remains the foundation of national progress and noted that Indian faculty members continue to serve in Ethiopian universities and higher education institutions.
“The future belongs to partnerships based on vision and trust,” the Prime Minister said, adding that India and Ethiopia are committed to working together to address global challenges and create new opportunities.
The Bharatiya Janata Party described the honour as a reflection of India’s rising global stature and Prime Minister Modi’s respected leadership on the world stage. In a post on X, the party said the nation celebrates the recognition as the Prime Minister dedicated it to the people of India.
During the visit, India and Ethiopia also elevated their bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership. Prime Minister Modi said the decision would give bilateral ties “new energy, new speed and new depth.”
“India and Ethiopia have had contact, communication and exchange for thousands of years. Our two countries, rich in languages and traditions, symbolise unity in diversity. Both are democratic powers committed to peace and the welfare of humanity,” he said, describing the two nations as partners in the Global South.
He also noted Ethiopia’s importance as the headquarters of the African Union and recalled that during India’s G20 Presidency in 2023, the African Union was admitted as a permanent member of the grouping.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, in his remarks, said Ethiopia’s economy is performing strongly and welcomed the deepening of ties with India.
Prime Minister Modi arrived in Ethiopia on Tuesday for a two-day state visit and was accorded a warm welcome on arrival.
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