External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali in Addis Ababa on Friday, 9 October 2026, exploring avenues to deepen bilateral relations through enhanced cooperation and strategic partnerships. The high-level engagement follows Abiy Ahmed's recent visit to India and his meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

PM Abiy Ahmed on the Meeting

In a post on X, Prime Minister Ali described the discussions as reaffirming the 'longstanding friendship between Ethiopia and India.' He noted the meeting built on momentum from his recent India visit and engagements with Prime Minister Modi, pointing to enhanced cooperation and strategic partnerships as the twin pillars of the relationship going forward.

AI, Science and Innovation on the Agenda

Earlier in the day, EAM Jaishankar visited the AI Institute in Addis Ababa, stating that India and Ethiopia share the vision of 'AI for All' and its potential to advance development and prosperity. He also stopped at the Ethiopia Science Museum, calling it a symbol of Ethiopia's push toward a technology-driven, knowledge-based economy. In posts on X, Jaishankar indicated that science and innovation cooperation would play a 'greater role' in the bilateral Strategic Partnership going forward.

Bilateral Talks with Ethiopian Foreign Minister

Jaishankar also held a formal meeting with his Ethiopian counterpart, Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos, at the latter's office in Addis Ababa. Discussions covered education, culture, trade, investment, digitalisation, infrastructure, maritime issues, security, and technology. Ethiopia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the meeting in a post on X, adding that the Indian foreign minister expressed appreciation for Ethiopia's participation in the recent BRICS Summit hosted by India.

South-South Solidarity and Multilateral Ties

Jaishankar described the India-Ethiopia Strategic Partnership as rooted in 'shared values, common aspirations, and historic South-South solidarity.' The two ministers also exchanged perspectives on global developments and discussed strengthening multilateral engagement, including deepening the India–African Union partnership. This comes amid India's growing diplomatic outreach across the African continent, with the African Union's full membership of the G20 — a push championed by New Delhi — having raised the profile of such bilateral engagements considerably.

What This Visit Signals

The Addis Ababa visit is part of a broader pattern of Indian diplomatic activity in Africa, leveraging the post-G20 momentum and India's BRICS chairmanship to consolidate partnerships across the Global South. Ethiopia, as the seat of the African Union, holds strategic weight beyond the bilateral relationship alone. How quickly the two sides translate the Strategic Partnership into concrete trade, infrastructure, and technology deliverables will be the measure of this diplomatic groundwork.