Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that his visit to Ethiopia has given fresh momentum to bilateral relations and further strengthened a partnership rooted in shared values, mutual respect, and a common vision for the future. As he concluded his two-day visit, the Prime Minister expressed gratitude to the Government and people of Ethiopia for their warm hospitality and friendship.

In a post on social media platform X, PM Modi thanked Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali for the gracious welcome and the personal gesture of seeing him off at the airport. “As I conclude a truly memorable visit to Ethiopia, I carry with me the warmth of its people and the depth of our enduring friendship. This visit has given fresh momentum to India–Ethiopia ties and strengthened a relationship rooted in shared values and a common vision for the future,” the Prime Minister said.

PM Modi highlighted that the visit included productive discussions with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali and the honour of addressing the Ethiopian Parliament. He noted that India and Ethiopia have elevated their relationship to a Strategic Partnership, a step he said would greatly benefit both nations by expanding cooperation across multiple sectors.

The Prime Minister concluded his Ethiopia visit on Wednesday and departed for Oman, the third and final leg of his three-nation tour. In a special and personal gesture reflecting the close bond between the two leaders, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali once again drove PM Modi to the airport and personally bid him farewell. Earlier, on PM Modi’s arrival in Addis Ababa, Abiy Ahmed Ali had similarly received him at the airport and driven him to his hotel.

Earlier in the day, the two Prime Ministers participated in a symbolic tree-planting ceremony in Addis Ababa under India’s ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative, which aligns with Ethiopia’s ‘Green Legacy’ programme. Sharing details of the event, PM Modi said the initiative reflected shared commitments toward environmental protection, sustainability, and respect for nature.

During the visit, Prime Minister Modi addressed a Joint Session of the Ethiopian Parliament, describing it as a great honour and privilege. In his address, he praised Ethiopia’s rich history, culture, and resilient spirit, noting that they inspire deep respect and admiration in India. He reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with Ethiopia, guided by shared values, mutual trust, and a common vision for peace, development, and cooperation.

Drawing a cultural parallel, PM Modi compared India’s national song ‘Vande Mataram’ with Ethiopia’s national anthem ‘March Forward, Dear Mother Ethiopia,’ noting that both nations refer to their land as “mother.” He said this shared sentiment reflects a deep emotional bond with the motherland and a collective responsibility to protect heritage, culture, and national unity.

During his stay, PM Modi also laid a wreath at the Adwa Victory Monument and visited the Adwa Museum, where he was briefed on Ethiopia’s historic victory and national legacy. In recognition of his contribution to strengthening bilateral ties, PM Modi was conferred Ethiopia’s highest civilian honour, the ‘Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia’, for which he expressed heartfelt gratitude.

The visit reaffirmed India’s growing engagement with Africa and underscored Ethiopia’s importance as a strategic partner. Prime Minister Modi’s remarks and engagements reflected a renewed commitment to deepening India–Ethiopia relations across political, economic, cultural, and people-to-people dimensions.