India-Ethiopia defence cooperation: Training, industry and UN Peacekeeping on agenda
Synopsis
India and Ethiopia sat down in New Delhi to push their defence partnership into new territory — training, industry tie-ups, and UN Peacekeeping. Coming months after PM Modi's historic Addis Ababa visit and Abiy Ahmed Ali's election win, Wednesday's talks signal that the bilateral Strategic Partnership is moving from rhetoric to operational depth.
Key Takeaways
India and Ethiopia held defence talks in New Delhi on 2 September , covering training, defence industry collaboration, and UN Peacekeeping .
The meeting was between Nebiyu Tedla , Charge d'Affaires of the Ethiopian Embassy, and Amitabh Prasad , Joint Secretary, Ministry of Defence.
Talks focused on 'new and emerging areas' of defence cooperation, according to the Ministry of Defence .
PM Modi visited Ethiopia last December, addressed its Parliament, and received the 'Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia' .
In June , Modi congratulated Abiy Ahmed Ali and the Prosperity Party on their parliamentary election victory, reaffirming the Strategic Partnership.
India and Ethiopia held high-level defence talks in New Delhi on Wednesday, 2 September, exploring avenues to deepen bilateral security ties across training, defence industry collaboration, and UN Peacekeeping operations. The meeting signals a continued push by both nations to operationalise their Strategic Partnership beyond diplomatic exchanges.
Key Developments
The discussions took place between Nebiyu Tedla, Charge d'Affaires at the Ethiopian Embassy in New Delhi, and Amitabh Prasad, Joint Secretary at India's Ministry of Defence. According to the Ministry of Defence, the two sides 'discussed avenues to further strengthen India-Ethiopia defence cooperation, including training, defence industry collaboration and UN Peacekeeping, with focus on new and emerging areas.'
Strategic Context: A Partnership Gaining Momentum
Wednesday's talks build on a relationship that has gathered pace over the past year. In December last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertook a two-day visit to Ethiopia — addressing a joint session of Parliament, visiting the Adwa Museum, and holding bilateral talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali. During that visit, Modi was conferred with Ethiopia's highest civilian honour, the 'Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia'.
Notably, this is among the more substantive African bilateral defence engagements India has pursued in recent years, reflecting New Delhi's broader intent to expand its security footprint on the continent.
Modi-Abiy Exchange After Ethiopian Elections
In June, Prime Minister Modi congratulated Abiy Ahmed Ali and his Prosperity Party on their decisive victory in Ethiopia's parliamentary elections. 'India greatly cherishes its historic, multifaceted and deep-rooted ties with Ethiopia. I fondly recall my visit to Ethiopia last year and look forward to working closely together to further strengthen our Strategic Partnership,' Modi said.
Abiy Ahmed Ali reciprocated warmly, describing Modi as a 'trusted friend and elder brother' and affirming Ethiopia's commitment to the Strategic Partnership. 'Ethiopia and India share bonds rooted in history, partnership, and shared ambition for our peoples. We look forward to building on our Strategic Partnership and continuing this journey together! Namaste,' Abiy Ahmed Ali posted on X.
What This Means Going Forward
The emphasis on 'new and emerging areas' in Wednesday's talks suggests both sides are looking beyond conventional training programmes toward technology-driven defence collaboration — an area where India's domestic defence industry has been actively seeking international partnerships. With India positioning itself as a net security provider in the Global South, Ethiopia — a key player in the African Union — represents a strategically significant partner. Further high-level engagement is expected as both countries look to translate diplomatic warmth into concrete defence deliverables.
Point of View
Honours are exchanged, and then the machinery of defence cooperation quietly begins. The inclusion of 'new and emerging areas' is the phrase to watch; it typically covers cyber, space, and drone technology in India's recent bilateral frameworks. Whether that translates into actual contracts or remains aspirational will depend on follow-through that past African defence partnerships have not always delivered.
NationPress
2 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did India and Ethiopia discuss in their defence talks on 2 September?
India and Ethiopia discussed ways to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation, including military training, defence industry collaboration, and joint participation in UN Peacekeeping operations. The talks also covered new and emerging areas of security engagement.
Who represented India and Ethiopia at the defence meeting?
India was represented by Amitabh Prasad, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Defence. Ethiopia was represented by Nebiyu Tedla, Charge d'Affaires at the Ethiopian Embassy in New Delhi.
What is the current state of India-Ethiopia relations?
India and Ethiopia share a Strategic Partnership that has deepened significantly over the past year. PM Modi visited Ethiopia in December last year, addressed its Parliament, and was awarded the country's highest civilian honour. Both sides have pledged to expand cooperation across diplomacy, trade, and defence.
Why is Ethiopia significant for India's defence outreach?
Ethiopia is a key player in the African Union and a major contributor to UN Peacekeeping missions, making it a strategically important partner for India's broader ambition to act as a net security provider in the Global South. Deepening ties with Addis Ababa also supports India's Africa engagement strategy.
What did PM Abiy Ahmed Ali say about India-Ethiopia ties?
Following his Prosperity Party's election victory in June, Abiy Ahmed Ali described PM Modi as a 'trusted friend and elder brother' and said Ethiopia and India share bonds rooted in history and shared ambition. He reaffirmed his commitment to building on the Strategic Partnership.
