Addis Ababa, December 18 (ANI): Ethiopian Minister of Women and Social Affairs Ergogie Tesfaye on Wednesday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Ethiopia would significantly strengthen bilateral ties and help implement long-envisioned development programs through a newly elevated strategic partnership.
Speaking to ANI, Tesfaye said the visit marks a turning point in India-Ethiopia relations, transforming a long-standing bilateral relationship into a strategic partnership focused on concrete projects and welfare initiatives.
“We are delighted that Prime Minister Modi is visiting us. This visit has strengthened our partnership and elevated it to a strategic level. This will allow us to implement various projects and programs aligned with our development strategies,” she said, noting that India and Ethiopia have shared close ties since India’s independence.
Highlighting both countries’ membership in BRICS, Tesfaye said the partnership offers fresh momentum for South-South cooperation. “As a BRICS member, Ethiopia sees this as a major opportunity to further strengthen cooperation with India,” she added.
The minister underlined the critical role of private-sector engagement, noting that Indian companies are the second-largest investors in Ethiopia. According to her, Indian private-sector investments exceeding USD 5 billion have helped create over 73,000 jobs in the country.
“Without the private sector, governments alone cannot achieve development goals. Public-private partnerships are essential, and Indian investors are playing a major role in Ethiopia’s growth,” she said.
Tesfaye also highlighted the deep educational ties between the two nations, recalling the contribution of Indian teachers across Ethiopia, including in rural areas. “My own English teacher in high school was Indian. Indian educators have played a vital role in building the capacity of Ethiopian students,” she said.
She further noted that educational cooperation has benefited thousands of Ethiopians, including herself. “I am also a beneficiary of India’s education system. I pursued my PhD in India, and many Ethiopians have gained degrees and short-term training through Indian scholarships and capacity-building programs,” she said.
Expressing satisfaction over the doubling of ICCR scholarship quotas, Tesfaye said the move would open greater opportunities for Ethiopian students. “Education is key to national development, and this contribution from India is immense,” she added.
Emphasising the people-to-people foundation of the relationship, Tesfaye said historical ties between Ethiopians and Indians—particularly Gujaratis—predate formal diplomacy. She recalled shared contributions during each other’s independence struggles, including participation in the Battle of Adwa and support for India’s freedom movement.
“This relationship is not just government-to-government; it is deeply rooted in people-to-people connections. That is what gives this strategic partnership its strength,” she said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Ethiopia on Tuesday for a two-day official visit aimed at strengthening bilateral and strategic cooperation between the two nations.
443 words, 2 minutes read time.
About The Author
