India, Ethiopia elevate ties to strategic partnership

Focus on cooperation in mining, critical minerals, DPI and clean energy

- ARCHIS MOHAN & PTI

During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to Ethiopia, which concluded on Wednesday evening, the two sides discussed deepening the economic partnership, especially in the fields of digital public infrastructure (DPI), mining, critical minerals, and clean energy in the context of the African country opening up its economy.

In his address to the joint sitting of the Ethiopian Parliament on Wednesday and also during his discussions with his Ethiopian counterpart Abiy Ahmed on Tuesday evening, Modi stated that Indian companies have invested over $ 5 billion in the Ethiopian economy, especially in essential sectors of manufacturing and pharmaceuticals, creating over 75,000 local jobs. More than 650 Indian companies are registered with the Ethiopian licensing investment department.

Given the reform agenda that the Ethiopian PM has undertaken in the area of economy and development, Modi conveyed to Prime Minister Abiy that India will work very closely with Ethiopia as per Ethiopia’s priorities and encourage the Indian private sector to do more in Ethiopia, Indian officials said.

In his address to the Ethiopian Parliament, Modi said, “India’s national song ‘Vande Mataram’, and the Ethiopian national anthem, both refer to our land as the mother. They inspire us to take pride in the heritage, culture, natural beauty and protect the motherland.”