We are looking at closer political, economic ties with India: Envoy

Addis Ababa, September 26, 2023 (FBC) – The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia is looking at closer political and economic ties with India, Ambassador Demeke Atnafu said while speaking to India Empire’s Diplomatic and Business Editor Yogesh Sood on a range of bilateral issues

As he delved into the longstanding Ethiopia-India ties, Demeke Atnafu Ambulo, Ambassador of Ethiopia to India, noted that although full diplomatic engagements were established in 1950, Ethiopia and India have enjoyed historical ties dating back 2,000 years.

The Ambassador also recalled the meeting of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Johannesburg on August 24, 2023 as a testament to the ever-growing ties between the two countries. “In a mutual expression of commitment to deepening relations, especially with Ethiopia’s entry into the BRICS group, the two leaders agreed to strengthen political cooperation as well as economic cooperation in the areas of agriculture, technology, trade and investments,” he said.

Ambassador Demeke further recalled some of the high-level visits that have taking place between the two countries in recent times. Mr. Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, visited India from February 17 to 19, 2021. This was followed by a reciprocal visit when S. Jaishankar, India’s Minister of External Affairs, traveled to Ethiopia on June 22, 2022.

Also a series of significant diplomatic engagements between Ethiopia and India unfolded recently. Mr. Melaku Alebel, Minister of Industry, participated in the 17th CII-Exim Bank Conclave on India-Africa Growth Partnership on July 19, 2022. Furthermore, Abraham Belay, Ethiopian Minister of Defense, visited India, where he engaged in a pivotal meeting with his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh on October 17, 2022. These visits underscored the growing diplomatic ties and mutual interests in fostering cooperation across various sectors between the two nations.

Highlighting the role of media in promoting relations between Ethiopia and India, he noted that media serves as a powerful tool for shaping perceptions, disseminating information, fostering understanding, and building connections between countries.

Regarding connectivity, on the basis of the Civil Aviation Agreement, Ethiopian Airlines operates 36-flights-a-week from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport to 4 Indian cities (New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai), the Ethiopian Envoy indicated.

The historical ties between Ethiopia and India serve as a testament to the enduring connections that transcend time and geographical boundaries. These ties have laid the groundwork for the modern diplomatic relations that continue to thrive and evolve, with both countries working together to build a better future based on shared values and mutual cooperation, the Ambassador said.