The Embassy of India in Addis Ababa

Last Updated on February 28, 2025

INDIA – ETHIOPIA BILATERAL RELATIONS

Historical linkages:

• Historical linkages between India and Ethiopia goes back 2,000 years of recorded history.  Trade between the two countries flourished during the Axumite Empire (1^stcentury AD). Indian traders trade silk and spices for gold and ivory through the ancient port of Adulis in the 6^th Century AD.  In the 16^th century AD, the Portuguese assisted the Christian King in Ethiopia to repel Muslim invaders, and with them came Indians from Goa. In 1868, General Robert Napier led a punitive expedition to obtain the release of European diplomats and missionaries who had been imprisoned by Emperor Tewodros II in his bunker fort at Makdala.   The 30,000 strong force had 13,000 soldiers from India, mostly Sikhs.  The British Army that ended the Italian occupation of Ethiopia (1936-41) also had a sizeable contingent of Indian soldiers.  General William Plat, who led one of the three simultaneous attacks, commanded a force consisting of the 4^th and 5^th Indian Divisions.
• Soon after achieving independence, a goodwill mission led by Sardar Sant Singh was sent to Ethiopia.  Diplomatic relations at legation level were established in 1948.  Full diplomatic relations were established in 1950 with Sardar Sant Singh as the first Ambassador.

PM’s meeting with Ethiopian counterpart

• PM met Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Johannesburg. They discussed ways to expand bilateral cooperation in areas like parliamentary contacts, development partnership & capacity building, trade & investment, defence, ICT, agriculture, skilling of youth and people to people linkages. (24 Aug 2023)
• Ethiopian PM Ahmed participated in the third Voice of Global South chaired by PM (17 August 2024)
• Ethiopian PM Ahmed participated in the inaugural Leaders’ Session at the Second Voice of the Global South Summit (17 Nov 2023).
• Earlier (6 May 2020), PM had a telephone conversation with PM Dr. Abiy Ahmed (6 May 2020). The two leaders discussed the domestic, regional and global challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and expressed solidarity with each other during the health crisis.

Visits of EAM (13 April 2023, 22 June 2022 & 2021)

• EAM visited Addis Ababa (13 April 2023) and met Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister & Foreign Minister. They discussed bilateral relations, developments in the region and shared views on our multilateral cooperation including in the African Union and United Nations. During his visit in Mozambique, EAM had telephonic conversation with Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed (14 April 2023).
• EAM visited Addis Ababa (22 June 2022) and met Ethiopian President. They discussed bilateral cooperation including education, health and investment as also development partnership. Also, they exchanged perspectives on the regional and international situation. EAM, who also exchanged pleasantries with Ethiopian Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, appreciated their warm sentiment towards India and their good words for our bilateral partnership. EAM inaugurated the Indian Embassy’s Chancery Building & Residential Complex. He also addressed the Indian community.
• EAM met Ethiopian FM on the sidelines of 79^thUNGA (September 25, 2024) discussed bilateral, regional and multilateral cooperation.
• EAM met Ethiopian DPM & FM on the sidelines of UNGA in New York (21 Sept 2022 and 26 Sept 2021).   On 27 Aug 2021, EAM and Ethiopian DPM & FM had telephonic conversation and inter alia discussed bilateral relations and UNSC matters including the developments in Ethiopia.

Other recent visits/interactions 

• Indian Delegation led by Economic Advisor, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of      Finance participated in the first session of Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) held in Addis Ababa from 21st July to 27th July 2024.
• Indian Delegation led by Additional DG (Project Tiger & Elephant) participated in Global Cheetah Summit held in Addis Ababa during 28^th-31^st January 2024.
• The sixth Joint Trade Committee meeting at the level of Joint Secretary / Director General was held in Addis Ababa (6-7 Nov 2023).
• Secretary (ER) visited Addis Ababa and met with Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (4 Oct 2022)
• The 4th Round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOCs) between India and Ethiopia was held in Addis Ababa (3 Oct 2022). Both delegations reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations.
• Ethiopian Finance Minister participated in Finance Ministers Track meeting of the 3rd Voice of Global South.

Foreign Office Consultations in Addis Ababa (3 Oct 2022)

• The 4th Round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOCs) between India and Ethiopia was held in Addis Ababa and co-chaired by Joint Secretary (East and Southern Africa), Ministry of External Affairs, India and Director General for Middle East, Asia & Pacific countries Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ethiopia.

Both delegations reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations during the Foreign Office Consultations. Issues discussed included political engagements, trade & economic matters, development partnership projects, cultural and consular matters, cooperation in higher education, people-to-people contacts, etc. It was also agreed to work to expand engagement in fields such as defence, Science and Technology, education, agriculture and allied sectors and civil aviation. Views on regional and global issues of mutual interest as well as AU related matters were also exchanged

Ethiopian Parliamentary delegation to India (20-24 Feb 2023)

• A 50-member Ethiopian Parliamentary delegation attended a training programme at the Parliamentary Research & Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE) in New Delhi. The delegation consisted of govt whips, chairperson & deputy chairperson of various standing committees and speakers of 12 regional parliaments.

Visits from Ethiopia

• Four Member African Union team visited Delhi from 21-28 April, 2024 for the technical consultations on 4th India Africa Forum Summit to be held in Addis Ababa.
• A 3-member delegation led by State Minister of Water and Energy of Ethiopia participated in the India Energy Week 2024 held from 06 to 09 February  2024.
• Minister of Industry Mr. Melaku Alebel participated in Bharat Tex 2024 in New Delhi in February 2024.
• State Minister of Trade and Regional Integration visited Delhi to attend Global pulse Confideration in February 2024.
• Minister of Peace attended the 3rd ‘No Money for Terror’ Ministerial Conference on Counter-Terrorism Financing in New Delhi (Nov 2022). He met Home Minister and discussed bilateral, multilateral and regional issues of mutual interest.
• Defence Minister attended the India-Africa Defence Dialogue in Gandhinagar (Oct 2022). During the visit, he met Raksha Mantri and discussed bilateral relations including cooperation in the defence sector.
• Minister for Women and Social Affairs was conferred ICCR Distinguished Alumni Award – 2021 in New Delhi (Aug 2022). During the visit, she met EAM, Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment and Minister of Women and Child Development.
• Minister of Industry participated in the 17th CII-Exim Bank Conclave on India – Africa Growth Partnership (July 2022). He was one of the speakers at the Trade Ministerial Session – Building B2G Bridge. Minister of Industry met Minister of State for Commerce & Industry.

Bilateral visits

• President Shri Ram Nath Kovind paid a State Visit to Ethiopia (Oct 2017) and held talks with Ethiopian President and Prime Minister. Other high level visits included President S. Radhakrishnan (1965), Vice President Zakir Hussain (1967), President V.V. Giri (1972), PM Manmohan Singh (2011) and Vice President Hamid Ali Ansari (May 2013).
• High level visits from Ethiopia included those of Emperor Haile Selassie (1956 & 1968), Col. Hailemariam Mengistu (1983 and 1985), PM Meles Zenawi (1997, 2007, 2008 & 2011) and PM Hailemariam Desalegn (2015).

Bilateral Agreements

• Air Services Agreement (1967); 4 MoUs signed subsequently in 1972, 1993, 2004 and 2008.
• Agreement on Technical, Economic and Scientific Cooperation (1969)
• Cultural Agreement (1983)
• Trade Agreement (1997)
• Agreement on Cooperation in Micro Dams and Small Scale Irrigation Schemes (2002)
• Agreement on Establishment of Joint Ministerial Commission (2007)
• Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (2007)
• Agreement on Cooperation in the field of Science and Technology (2007)
• Educational Exchange Programme (2007)
• Protocol on Foreign Office Consultations (2007)
• Double Taxation avoidance treaty (2011)
• MOU between NSIC, India and FEMSEDA (2011)
• MOU between ICAR and Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (2011)
• Trade Agreement (2017)
• Agreement for Cooperation in the field of Information, Communication and Media (2017)
• MoU between FSI and Foreign Service Institute of Ethiopia (2018)
• MoU between the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – Central Research Institute, India and Wollo University, Ethiopia (2021)
• MoU between the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology of India and the Information Network Security Administration of Ethiopia (2024)

Bilateral Trade

• According to Department of Commerce, India’s total trade with Ethiopia stood at US$ 571.52/- million during 2023- 2024. During this period, India’s export to Ethiopia were US$ 489.59/- million and imports were US$ 81.93/- million.
• Exports from India mainly include primary and semi-finished iron and steel products, drugs and pharmaceuticals, machinery and instruments, manufactures of metal, etc. Major imports by India from Ethiopia were: pulses, precious and semi-precious stones, vegetables & seeds, leather and spices.
• India is the second largest trading partner for Ethiopia.

Cultural Cooperation

           2024-2025

• ITEC day was celebrated at the Embassy on 04th January 2024. The event was attended by over 200 people, including alumni, scholar associated with ITEC & ICCR. Embassy has also organized ITEC Day on 12 March 2024. Enthusiastic participation of ITEC Alumni was witnessed on this occasion. Embassy also took this opportunity to brief about the new initiative to impart top class education in the field of Artificial Intelligence and Data Science by IIT M Zanzibar.
• Under ITEC programme, a total of 80 police personnel attended customized Forensic Training Course at National Forensic Sciences University in Gandhinagar during 2023-24.
• On the occasion of Vishwa Hindi Diwas (10 January 2024), Embassy organized various activities to celebrate the event. A number of Ethiopian nationals as well as Indian community participated.
• A Cultural Troupe comprising 20 members, sponsored by the Government of India in collaboration with Haryana Tourism department, actively took part in the 38th edition of International Crafts Mela 2025, from (6-24 February 2025) in Faridabad, Haryana. In 2024, a total of 20-members cultural group from Ethiopia travelled to India for the Surajkund International Crafts Mela (6-18 Feb 2024).
• Indian Women Association alongwith Indian Diaspora organized Mahashivratri on 8 March at Addis Ababa. Indian nationals from all age groups and all walks of life enthusiastically participated and prayed for peace, prosperity and good health for all.
• The 1st Indian Food Festival organized at Ghion hotel in Addis Ababa (17 March).  The festival displayed authentic culinary delights of all regions of India. Overwhelming and enthusiastic response from Ethiopians and foreigners reflected the grand success of the event.
• Embassy organized Holi Celebration, festival of colour at Embassy premises
  (March 2024). Ethiopian nationals, ITEC & ICCR Alumni, Indian nationals and friends of India enthusiastically participated in the celebration. Cultural performances were also showcased on this occasion.  Holi was also celebrated by “Indian organization” in Bishoftu.
• Embassy organised a session titled “Role of Indian Teachers in the Ethiopia Education Sector” on 14th April 2024 wherein a good number of Indian professors working in various Universities in Ethiopia participated and shared their insights.
• Embassy facilitated to organised T 20 cricket match between Ethio-India Vs Craigengower Cricket Club (who were transiting through Addis Ababa) on 11th May 2024.
• A Government of India sponsored Jaipur Foot Artificial Limb Fitment camp inaugurated in Semera, Afar Province of Ethiopia. This camp has been implemented by Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS). The camp helped rehabilitate over 600 Ethiopian nationals.
• The 11th Africa Security Symposium (ASEC 2024) took place from 22-23 May 2024 at the Skylight Hotel in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The event hosted more than 300 delegates and exhibitors, among others, Government Ministers, investors, industry suppliers, senior police, military, and other stakeholders.
• 10th International Day of Yoga celebrations at Addis Ababa saw enthusiastic participation of people from all walks of life.
• Indian Government under its ICCR international Scholarship Program awarded 65 scholarships to Ethiopian students to pursue their education in India during the Academic year 2024-2025.
• On occasion of Hindi Pakhwada (14 Sep to 28 Sep 2024) , Embassy of India organised a set of events on 28 September 2024, like poem recitation, essay writing, speech, singing of Hindi songs.
• As part of the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative, launched by Hon’ble Prime Minister of India on the occasion of World Environment Day, the Embassy of India in Addis Ababa on 17.09.2024 joined in tree plantation drive to promote environmental sustainability.
• Embassy of India in collaboration with Indian Women’s Association organised BACHCHA got talent (21 September). The event provided a platform to showcase the talent and skills of children. More than 60 children performed in various fields including dance, music, drawing, memory skills etc.
• Gandhi Jayant celebrated through volunteering and donation at Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Addis Ababa, the largest maternity hospital of Ethiopia.
• 5th Edition of Bharat Ko Janiye (BKJ aka Know India) organised from 11 November to 10 December 2024.
• Ayurveda Day Celebrated at Jimma University (Ethiopia) on 29th October 2024.
• Embassy participated at the Diplomatic Bazaar in Addis Ababa. Indian dance performances were much appreciated by the audience. Applying henna was also a major attraction during the Bazaar.
• Celebration of Constitution Day 2024at Embassy attracted participants from various walks of life reflected their ideas on the centrality of the Constitution of India and pledge to act accordingly the higher principles of the Constitution including the fundamental duties in their life.
• 1st World Meditation Day celebrated at Embassy and at Bishoftu (21 December 2024)
• Conference on ‘CONTRIBUTION OF INDIAN TEACHERS IN THE FIELD OF EDUCATION IN ETHIOPIA’ organised and saw great participation from Ethiopian Government, Educational Institutions and from the Indian Professors/ Teachers and those who have been benefited by the ICCR and ITEC Scholarships, apart from subject experts and friends from Media (4th January 2025)
• On the occasion of Vishwa Hindi Diwas (10 January 2025), Embassy organized various activities in Embassy and at Bishoftu to celebrate the event. A number of Ethiopian nationals as well as Indian community participated in various activities.

 Indian Community

• The early settlers among the Indian community in Ethiopia came from Gujarat in the latter years of the 19th century. During imperial times, there were also tens of thousands of Indian teachers in schools all over Ethiopia, even in the most remote parts.
• Today, the Indian community has a large presence in the educational sector of Ethiopia. There are about 150 Indian faculties in various Ethiopian Universities and higher educational institutions.
• The Indian Diaspora in Ethiopia is estimated to about 2500. There are a number of Indian companies in this country. There are also several Ethiopian companies who engage Indian workers.

 January 2025