Addis Ababa: Prime Minister Modi was accorded a warm and enthusiastic reception during his first bilateral visit to Ethiopia. As members of the Ethiopian Parliament welcomed Prime Minister Modi with greetings, they bestowed a standing ovation before his address. Reflecting on the gesture, the PM states, “It feels like home.” Additionally, the PM said, “This is only possible because there are very deep-rooted relationships between our two people."
In his speech at the joint sitting of the Parliament, Modi reiterated India’s willingness to develop cooperative ties with Ethiopia. He further expressed his sincere appreciation to the leadership and the people of Ethiopia for the warmth with which he was received during his visit. Modi pointed out that India and Ethiopia share a set of values which date back to their ancient civilisations and which influence the relations between the two countries.
Giving examples of the contribution of the Indian element during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, the Prime Minister reported on 'Vaccine Maitri' and mentioned: “Today, it is a proud privilege to share that India has been able to share medicines and vaccines to over 150 countries. It has been a proud privilege for us to share more than four million doses of COVID-19 vaccines with the people of Ethiopia.”
Modi also expressed the general tenet of the vision, stating, "Our vision is of a world where the Global South rises not against anyone, but for everyone.” In this call to progress for all people, Modi expressed his role as a bearer of the vision of the Global South as a unifier who favours a united and developed world for the people of the Global South. This comes against the backdrop of strong diplomatic momentum where the countries have taken their relations to the level of 'Strategic Partnership' with the view to widening their cooperation in the realms of health care, trade, technology, and sustainable development.
Subsequently, Modi’s speech, which was full of warmth and optimism, was well-received by the Ethiopian parliamentarians and showed that both nations cooperated to achieve peace, progress, and prosperity in Africa and the Third World in general.