New Delhi, Dec 17 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday extended his heartfelt thanks to the citizens and the Government of Ethiopia for bestowing upon him the nation’s highest accolade, the ‘Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia.

In a post shared on the social media platform X, PM Modi expressed, “I am thankful to the people and Government of Ethiopia, especially to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, for awarding me the ‘Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia yesterday evening. Being recognized by one of the world's most ancient and culturally rich civilizations fills me with immense pride. This recognition is for the many Indians who have contributed to strengthening our partnership over the years.”

“India is dedicated to enhancing cooperation with Ethiopia to tackle evolving global challenges and to create new opportunities,” he added.

Additionally, PM Modi shared another update from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, detailing key achievements from his recent bilateral visit.

He stated, “These are pivotal advancements in our longstanding and trusted partnership. From governance and peacekeeping to digital capabilities and education, our focus remains on empowering our people. The emphasis on knowledge, skills, and innovation reflects our collective belief in youth as the future's drivers. Healthcare collaboration reveals a profound commitment to human dignity and care for the vulnerable. These achievements illustrate an India-Ethiopia partnership centered on growth and people-centric development.”

Earlier on Tuesday, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal released a detailed summary of outcomes from PM Modi’s visit to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, which includes the advancement of bilateral relations to a ‘Strategic Partnership, an agreement for cooperation and mutual administrative assistance in customs, and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for establishing a data center at Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Other significant achievements consist of an implementing arrangement for training in United Nations peacekeeping operations, the signing of an MoU on debt restructuring for Ethiopia under the G20 Common Framework, and the doubling of scholarships for Ethiopian students through the ICCR scholarship programme. Moreover, India will provide specialized short-term courses in Artificial Intelligence under the ITEC programme and support the enhancement of the Mahatma Gandhi Hospital in Addis Ababa, particularly in maternal and neonatal healthcare.

Meanwhile, PM Modi is set to visit Oman on Wednesday at the invitation of Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, marking the final phase of his three-nation tour, which also included Jordan and Ethiopia.

This trip will be PM Modi’s second visit to Oman, highlighting the deepening of the India-Oman strategic partnership. This visit is particularly significant as it coincides with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Oman, following Sultan Haitham bin Tariq’s state visit to India in December 2023, reflecting the high-level political engagement between the two nations.