PM Modi Conferred Ethiopia’s Highest Civilian Honour
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred Ethiopia’s highest civilian award, the Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia, during an official ceremony in Addis Ababa. The honour was presented by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in recognition of Modi’s contribution to strengthening bilateral ties and enhancing cooperation between the two countries.
Recognition of India–Ethiopia Ties
The Ethiopian government said the award reflects India’s long-standing engagement with Ethiopia across multiple sectors, including education, capacity building, development cooperation and people-to-people ties. India has historically played a role in Ethiopia’s institution-building, with Indian professionals and educators contributing to Ethiopian public life for decades.
Modi’s Response at the Ceremony
After receiving the honour, Prime Minister Modi expressed gratitude to the Ethiopian leadership and people. He described the recognition as an honour for the people of India and said it symbolised the deep civilisational and cultural links between the two nations. Modi also highlighted shared values such as mutual respect, cooperation and a commitment to global peace and development.
Diplomatic Significance of the Award
The conferment of the Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia underlined the growing strategic importance of India–Africa relations, with Ethiopia being a key partner on the continent. The visit and the award are expected to further strengthen diplomatic, economic and cultural engagement between India and Ethiopia in the coming years.
