PM Modi addresses Ethiopian Parliament, hails historic ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that India and Ethiopia stand together as members of one family to work for a more just, more equal and more peaceful world. The Prime Minister was addressing the joint session of the parliament of Ethiopia on Wednesday morning. Highlighting the deep-rooted civilisational links between the two countries, PM Modi noted that both India and Ethiopia draw strength from ancient wisdom while pursuing modern aspirations. He pointed out that India’s national song “Vande Mataram” and Ethiopia’s national anthem both refer to the land as “Mother,” reflecting a shared cultural ethos. Talking about the aspirations of the Global South, the Prime Minister said that the Global South is writing its own destiny, and India and Ethiopia share a vision for it, and the vision is of a world where the Global South rises not against anyone but for everyone.“Science has traced some of the earliest footprints of our species in Ethiopia; we share a common origin, whether we live in Addis Ababa or Ayodhya, if our beginning was shared, then our destiny must also be shared,” he said.

VIDEO | Addis Ababa: “Science has traced some of the earliest footprints of our species in Ethiopia; we share a common origin, whether we live in Addis Ababa or Ayodhya, if our beginning was shared, then our destiny must also be shared,” says PM Modi, addressing the Joint Session… pic.twitter.com/PJmstteyLF

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 17, 2025

PM Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with Ethiopia and recalled the contribution of Indian teachers and businesses to the country’s development. He shared India’s experiences in areas such as digital public infrastructure, food processing and innovation, and expressed India’s readiness to continue supporting Ethiopia’s development priorities. Referring to India’s guiding principle of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” – the world is one family – he noted India’s role in supplying vaccines to Ethiopia during the COVID-19 pandemic. At Tuesday’s banquet dinner hosted by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, a wonderful rendition of Vande Mataram was sung by Ethiopian singers. It was a deeply moving moment, that too at a time when we are marking 150 years of Vande Mataram.

At yesterday’s banquet dinner hosted by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, a wonderful rendition of Vande Mataram was sung by Ethiopian singers. It was a deeply moving moment, that too at a time when we are marking 150 years of Vande Mataram. @AbiyAhmedAli pic.twitter.com/TeHbPzBBLb

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 17, 2025

Prime Minister completed his visit to the African country and left for Oman for the last leg of his visit to the three countries