Indian Prime Minister Heads to Ethiopia in Historic Visit

By Dawan Africa - Reporter

Ethiopia, 16 December 2025 — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Ethiopia from 16 to 17 December, marking his first-ever visit to the country, at a time when India is preparing to assume the presidency of the BRICS bloc in 2026.

India is one of Ethiopia’s largest trading partners, with bilateral trade estimated at around $550 million in the 2024–25 fiscal year, underscoring the growing economic ties between the two countries.

Indian exports to Ethiopia are valued at approximately $440 million, consisting mainly of pharmaceuticals, machinery, chemicals, plastics, and electrical equipment. Ethiopia’s exports to India are estimated at about $130–140 million, largely comprising agricultural products such as oilseeds, pulses, edible vegetables, and other primary commodities.

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According to India’s Envoy to Ethiopia, Anil Kumar Rai, Prime Minister Modi will hold extensive talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali covering a broad range of bilateral issues. The discussions are expected to focus on investment, agriculture, mining, public digital infrastructure, and cybersecurity—sectors where Indian companies already have a significant footprint in Ethiopia.

Ambassador Rai described the visit as “a significant historic moment,” saying it is expected to further strengthen bilateral cooperation and expand coordination between New Delhi and Addis Ababa on international issues, including reform of the United Nations system and the future agenda of BRICS – a forum for cooperation among a group of leading emerging economies. Both India and Ethiopia are members of the BRICS grouping.

During the visit, Prime Minister Modi is also expected to address a joint session of the Ethiopian Parliament, a move that highlights the depth of political relations between the two countries and underscores the importance of the visit at both bilateral and international levels.

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