Ethio-India Strategic Partnership Historic Step Toward Shared Prosperity: Indian Professor

Addis Ababa, December 24, 2025— The elevation of Ethiopia-India relations from a bilateral to a strategic partnership represents a historic milestone that will propel both nations toward greater glory, according to Professor Krishnaraj Ramaswamy, Coordinator of the Ethio-India Joint PhD Program.

Last week India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a historic visit to Ethiopia which resulted in a significant step to elevate the two countries’ long-standing bilateral relations into a strategic partnership.

 

 

In an exclusive interview with ENA, Professor Krishnaraj Ramaswamy, Ethio-India Joint PhD Program coordinator, said PM Modi’s visit to Ethiopia and the warm and gracious welcome upon his arrival in Addis Ababa by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed vividly demonstrates the strong bond and promising future of the two countries.

During his engagements with senior government officials in Ethiopia, PM Modi affirmed that the two countries have decided to elevate their historic bilateral partnership to a strategic partnership.

 

 

Addressing the joint session of the House of People's Representatives and the House of Federation, PM Modi said, “we decided to elevate the bilateral relations of the two countries to the level of strategic partnership.”

Furthermore, Modi said this will unleash the potentials of the nations’ economy through cooperation in technology, innovation, mining, sustainable and green energy.

Professor Ramaswamy said the warm reception accorded to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reflects the strong and longstanding ties between Ethiopia and India, underlining the depth of trust and cooperation between the two countries.

He affirmed that the existing strategic partnership will elevate bilateral relations to a higher level, opening new avenues for collaboration across key sectors.

According to the professor, education remains one of the foundational pillars of Ethio India relations. He noted that cooperation in the education sector will continue in a more coordinated and structured manner among relevant institutions and stakeholders in both countries.

Commending the strong cultural bond between Ethiopia and India, Professor Ramaswamy said the two nations share a deep and enduring cultural relationship, describing it as another solid foundation of their historic and multifaceted partnership.

Professor Ramaswamy said the transformation of relations from a bilateral arrangement into a full strategic partnership marks a crucial step in strengthening cooperation between Ethiopia and India across multiple sectors.

He noted that the move opens a new path for both countries to advance together, saying it enables Ethiopia and India “to march towards glory” through deeper and more structured collaboration.

Highlighting economic engagement, the professor said many Indian companies are operating in Ethiopia in areas including manufacturing and textiles, adding that bilateral export and import relations have continued to expand.

Indian firms are now among the largest foreign investors in Ethiopia, with investments exceeding five billion United States dollars in sectors such as textiles, manufacturing, agriculture and health.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed also emphasized the forward-looking nature of the partnership last week, noting that Ethiopia and India are poised to build modern and capable states for the next generation as a result of their shared outlook.

“Ethiopia and India share more than interests, we share values, a commitment to sovereignty, human dignity and development that lifts all people. Our partnership is strategic, long term and rooted in mutual respect,” Prime Minister Abiy underscored.