A rare parliamentary address, BRICS politics, and a push into cyber and energy cooperation—Modi’s Ethiopia visit signals a deeper India–Africa alignment.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to make a historic visit to Ethiopia from December 16 to 17, marking his first trip to the country and the first by an Indian leader in 15 years, as New Delhi sharpens its engagement with Africa ahead of chairing the BRICS summit in 2026.
During the visit, Modi is expected to address a joint session of Ethiopia’s Parliament and hold wide-ranging talks with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, with a focus on investment, agriculture, mining, digital public infrastructure and cybersecurity. The trip reflects growing strategic coordination between the two countries, both now members of the expanded BRICS grouping.
India’s ambassador to Ethiopia, Anil Kumar Rai, described the visit as “a very historic moment,” saying it would deepen bilateral cooperation and enhance coordination on global issues such as UN reform and BRICS priorities. “India and Ethiopia are two civilizational countries with a long-standing, deep and friendly relationship,” Rai said, adding that the agenda was “big and rich” and aimed at strengthening ties across multiple sectors.
Agriculture is expected to feature prominently in discussions, given its role in supporting roughly 80 percent of Ethiopian livelihoods. India also plans to launch several initiatives under the International Solar Alliance, including solar rooftop projects, regional solar connectivity, off-grid systems and solar-powered pumps, aimed at expanding energy access and supporting poverty reduction.
Beyond economic cooperation, the talks will cover education, health, defence, and regional and international issues. Modi is also scheduled to meet members of Ethiopia’s Indian diaspora, estimated at around 2,500 people, and take part in cultural events organised in his honour.
Political engagement between New Delhi and Addis Ababa has intensified in recent years. Modi and Abiy last met on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Johannesburg in 2023, while Abiy has participated in multiple editions of India’s Voice of the Global South Summit, including leaders’ sessions in November 2023 and August 2024.
Both sides are also expected to use the visit to revive momentum toward convening the long-delayed fourth India–Africa Forum Summit. The most recent summit was held in New Delhi in 2015, following the 2011 edition in Addis Ababa, which hosts the African Union Commission.
Ethiopia remains one of the largest African recipients of India’s concessional lines of credit, supporting projects in railways, sugar production and power transmission. Thousands of Ethiopian officials and professionals have also benefited from training under India’s Technical and Economic Cooperation program, underscoring a long-running South–South partnership.
Following Ethiopia, Modi will travel to Oman and Jordan, underscoring India’s expanding strategic, economic and energy interests across West Asia at a time of heightened regional tension.
