PM Modi addresses Joint Session of Ethiopia's Parliament in Addis Ababa
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Joint Session of the Parliament of Ethiopia in Addis Ababa on 17 December 2025, on his first bilateral visit to Ethiopia, and laid a wreath at the Adwa Victory Monument.
Summary
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Joint Session of the Parliament of Ethiopia in Addis Ababa on 17 December 2025, a special honour accorded to him on his first bilateral visit to Ethiopia, during which India–Ethiopia ties were elevated to a Strategic Partnership. In the address, the Prime Minister thanked Ethiopia for the Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia and recalled Indian soldiers who fought alongside Ethiopians for their liberation in 1941. The Prime Minister also laid a wreath at the Adwa Victory Monument, which honours Ethiopian soldiers of the Battle of Adwa in 1896. Formal diplomatic ties between India and Ethiopia were established in 1950, and bilateral trade stood at US$ 550.19 million in 2024–25.
Key facts
- Date
- 17 December 2025
- Venue
- Joint Session of Parliament, Addis Ababa
- Visit
- First bilateral visit to Ethiopia, 16–17 December 2025
- Ties
- Elevated to Strategic Partnership
- Adwa
- Monument to Ethiopian soldiers of the Battle of Adwa, 1896
- Diplomatic ties
- Established 1950; trade US$ 550.19 million in 2024–25
Practice MCQs 3 questions
The Adwa Victory Monument in Addis Ababa, where PM Modi laid a wreath on 17 December 2025, honours Ethiopian soldiers of the Battle of Adwa fought in which year?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1896
PIB 2205113: the memorial is dedicated to Ethiopian soldiers who died for the sovereignty of their nation at the Battle of Adwa in 1896.
In which year were formal diplomatic ties between India and Ethiopia established?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 1950
PIB backgrounder 2205431: formal diplomatic ties between India and Ethiopia were established in 1950.
Consider the following statements about Prime Minister Modi's visit to Ethiopia in December 2025: 1. It was his first bilateral visit to Ethiopia. 2. India–Ethiopia ties were elevated to a Strategic Partnership. 3. India–Ethiopia bilateral trade in 2024–25 was driven mainly by Ethiopian exports to India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 1 and 2 only
PIB 2205106 and 2205431: it was the PM's first bilateral visit and ties were elevated to a Strategic Partnership. Of the US$ 550.19 million trade in 2024–25, Indian exports were US$ 476.81 million and imports US$ 73.38 million, so the trade is export-driven from India and statement 3 is wrong.