A powerful partnership is blooming between India and Ethiopia, and it’s all about development and cooperation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with his Ethiopian counterpart, Abiy Ahmed Ali, on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg, and the potential for growth is immense.
But here’s where it gets controversial… While the meeting’s details remain under wraps, PM Modi’s emphasis on ‘developmental cooperation’ hints at a deeper, long-standing relationship between the two nations.
India and Ethiopia have a diplomatic history spanning over seven decades. Ethiopia has been a major beneficiary of India’s Lines of Credit in Africa, with projects focused on power transmission, rural electrification, railways, and agriculture. Indian companies have also made significant investments in Ethiopia, particularly in manufacturing, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and IT.
The two countries have consistently engaged through various platforms, including the India-Africa Forum Summit, bilateral joint commissions, and development partnership initiatives. India has provided extensive training to Ethiopian professionals under its ITEC scheme, covering areas like IT, governance, healthcare, and vocational skills.
And this is the part most people miss… Technology collaboration and skill development have been key aspects of their bilateral cooperation. India has supported Ethiopia’s digital capacity-building projects, establishing IT training centers and institutions linked to science and engineering education.
Saturday’s meeting is part of India’s ongoing outreach to African partners at multilateral platforms. Ethiopia’s participation in the Summit follows the inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member of the G20 during India’s presidency, a move welcomed by both sides as a step towards greater representation for the Global South in global economic governance.
Prime Minister Modi’s brief interaction with Abiy Ahmed Ali is just one of many high-level exchanges he’s had during the Summit, which has focused on sustainable development, global economic stability, digital cooperation, and multilateral reforms.
So, what do you think? Is this partnership a win-win for both nations? Or is there more to uncover? Let’s discuss in the comments!