PM Modi congratulates Abiy Ahmed Ali on Ethiopia election win
Synopsis
Days after Ethiopia's Prosperity Party swept 438 of 486 parliamentary seats, PM Modi publicly hailed Abiy Ahmed Ali as a 'friend' and invoked a $5 billion Indian investment footprint and 75,000 jobs as proof of a deepening strategic partnership — signalling that New Delhi sees Addis Ababa as a key pillar of its Africa engagement.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi congratulated Abiy Ahmed Ali and the Prosperity Party on 23 June following their victory in Ethiopia's seventh General Election.
The Prosperity Party secured 438 of 486 contested seats in the House of Peoples' Representatives in the 1 June vote.
The National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) declared the official results in Addis Ababa on Sunday.
Indian companies have invested over $5 billion in Ethiopia, creating more than 75,000 local jobs , according to PM Modi's earlier statement.
Modi visited Ethiopia in December last year and addressed a Joint Session of the Ethiopian Parliament — a first for a bilateral visit.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, 23 June congratulated Abiy Ahmed Ali and his Prosperity Party on their commanding victory in Ethiopia's parliamentary elections, reinforcing the growing strategic partnership between India and Ethiopia. The message came days after Ethiopia's electoral authority formally declared the ruling party the winner of the country's seventh General Election.
Election Results and What They Mean
The National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) on Sunday announced that the Prosperity Party (PP) had secured 438 of the 486 contested seats in the House of Peoples' Representatives (HoPR) — Ethiopia's lower parliamentary chamber — in the 1 June General Election. Under Ethiopia's constitution, the party winning a majority in the HoPR is mandated to form the government and nominate the Prime Minister, effectively clearing the path for Abiy Ahmed Ali to continue in office.
What PM Modi Said
In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi wrote: 'Heartiest congratulations to my friend, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali and the Prosperity Party for a decisive victory in the Ethiopian parliamentary elections.' He added: '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 and the bonds of friendship between our peoples.'
India-Ethiopia Ties: The Strategic Backdrop
Prime Minister Modi visited Ethiopia in December last year — his first bilateral visit to the country — during which he addressed a Joint Session of the Ethiopian Parliament, a special honour accorded to him on the occasion. The visit gave fresh momentum to bilateral ties, with Modi conveying India's readiness to deepen collaboration in Digital Public Infrastructure, mining, critical minerals, clean energy, food security, and agriculture.
The two leaders also reviewed progress on trade and investment, innovation and technology, and education and capacity building. Notably, Prime Minister Modi stated that Indian companies have invested over $5 billion in the Ethiopian economy, particularly in manufacturing and pharmaceuticals, generating more than 75,000 local jobs.
What Comes Next
With the Prosperity Party's decisive mandate confirmed and India's diplomatic outreach already well-established, both governments are expected to advance their Strategic Partnership across economic and developmental corridors. The congratulatory message signals New Delhi's intent to maintain continuity in engagement with Addis Ababa as Ethiopia forms its new government.
Point of View
000-jobs claim, repeatedly cited since the December visit, are doing dual work: reassuring Addis Ababa of India's economic commitment while positioning New Delhi as a credible alternative to Chinese infrastructure influence in the region. The Prosperity Party's near-total sweep of parliament, however, has drawn scrutiny from international observers over electoral inclusivity — a dimension conspicuously absent from the congratulatory framing. As India deepens its Africa pivot, the tension between strategic interests and democratic accountability will only sharpen.
NationPress
23 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did PM Modi congratulate Abiy Ahmed Ali?
PM Modi congratulated Abiy Ahmed Ali because the National Election Board of Ethiopia officially declared his Prosperity Party the winner of Ethiopia's seventh General Election, held on 1 June. The party won 438 of 486 contested parliamentary seats, securing a commanding majority.
What were the results of Ethiopia's 2025 parliamentary election?
The Prosperity Party won 438 of the 486 contested seats in the House of Peoples' Representatives, according to the National Election Board of Ethiopia. This majority mandates the party to form the new government and nominate the Prime Minister under Ethiopia's constitution.
What is the current state of India-Ethiopia relations?
India and Ethiopia share a Strategic Partnership, with Indian companies having invested over $5 billion in the Ethiopian economy and created more than 75,000 local jobs, primarily in manufacturing and pharmaceuticals. PM Modi visited Ethiopia in December last year — his first bilateral visit — and addressed a Joint Session of the Ethiopian Parliament.
What areas of cooperation did India and Ethiopia agree on during Modi's visit?
During PM Modi's December visit, both sides agreed to step up collaboration in Digital Public Infrastructure, mining, critical minerals, clean energy, food security, agriculture, trade and investment, innovation and technology, and education and capacity building.
What does the Prosperity Party's victory mean for Ethiopia's government?
Under Ethiopia's constitution, the party or coalition winning a majority in the House of Peoples' Representatives is mandated to form the government and nominate the Prime Minister. The Prosperity Party's 438-seat win effectively confirms Abiy Ahmed Ali's continuation as Prime Minister.
