‘THIS HONOUR BELONGS TO COUNTLESS INDIANS’: PM
New Delhi, Dec 17, 2025 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed gratitude to the people and the Government of Ethiopia after being conferred with the country’s highest civilian recognition, the ‘Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia’.
In a post on X, PM Modi said, “Grateful to the people and Government of Ethiopia as well as Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali for conferring upon me the ‘Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia’ last evening. To be honoured by one of the world’s most ancient and rich civilisations is a matter of immense pride. This honour belongs to the countless Indians who have shaped and strengthened our partnership over the years.”
“India remains committed to further cementing cooperation with Ethiopia to address evolving global challenges and also to create new opportunities,” he added.
Sharing a post by Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, PM Modi said the outcomes of his visit marked significant progress in bilateral ties.
“These are significant steps forward in our longstanding and trusted partnership. From governance and peacekeeping to digital capacity and education, the focus remains on empowering our people. The emphasis on knowledge, skills and innovation underscores our shared faith in youth as the drivers of tomorrow,” he said.
He added that cooperation in healthcare reflected a deeper commitment to human dignity and care for the most vulnerable sections, describing the outcomes as people-centric and growth-oriented.
Ethiopia conferred the award on PM Modi on Tuesday, making him the first global Head of State or Government to receive the honour. It is also the 28th top foreign state award conferred on him by a foreign country.
During his visit, India and Ethiopia elevated their bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership. The two sides signed agreements on cooperation and mutual administrative assistance in customs matters, an MoU to establish a data centre at Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and an implementing arrangement for UN peacekeeping operations training.
Other key outcomes included the signing of an MoU on debt restructuring for Ethiopia under the G20 Common Framework, doubling of ICCR scholarships for Ethiopian students, introduction of short-term Artificial Intelligence courses under the ITEC programme, and India’s assistance in strengthening maternal and neonatal healthcare at the Mahatma Gandhi Hospital in Addis Ababa.
In his remarks after receiving the award, PM Modi said the honour belonged to generations of Indians who contributed to India-Ethiopia ties, including traders, soldiers, teachers and professionals.
“This honour belongs to the countless Indians who have shaped our partnership—whether Gujarati traders, Indian soldiers who fought for Ethiopia’s liberation, or teachers and industrialists who helped build the future through education and investment,” he said.
Highlighting shared values, the Prime Minister said India and Ethiopia were partners in the Global South and committed to cooperation based on vision and trust. He reiterated India’s belief that education and capacity building remain central to national development.