Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Wednesday bade a warm farewell to the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at the Addis Ababa’s Bole International Airport, upon the conclusion of a historic, two-day state visit that signaled a new era of India-Ethiopia relations.  

The farewell ceremony, marked by high-level diplomatic honors, followed 48 hours of intensive, activity-packed bilateral engagements aimed at deepening the partnership between the two ancient civilizations.

The visit was characterized by several landmark moments and significant policy discussions, including the bestowing on Prime Minister Modi of Ethiopia’s highest civilian award, the "Great Honor Nishan of Ethiopia," for his exceptional contribution to strengthening the India-Ethiopia partnership.

Wide-ranging talks covered agriculture, cybersecurity, mining, and digital public infrastructure, while India emphasized its commitment to launching several projects under the International Solar Alliance in Ethiopia.

Before departure, Prime Minister Modi addressed a joint session of the Ethiopian Parliament.

Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to United Nations reforms and coordination on the BRICS agenda, following Ethiopia's entry into the group in 2024.

Premier Modi’s visit was notable for the personal rapport between the two leaders.

Upon his arrival on December 16, PM Abiy made the rare gesture of personally driving Modi to his hotel, including a visit at the Addis Ababa Science Museum and Friendship Park.

They also shared a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony at the airport, celebrating Ethiopia's rich heritage.

“Ethiopia is a nation with great history and vibrant culture. India and Ethiopia share deep civilizational ties," said Prime Minister Modi during the visit, expressing his gratitude.

As Prime Minister Modi departs for Oman for the final leg of his three-nation tour: Jordan, Ethiopia, Oman.

With India set to chair the BRICS summit in 2026, the strengthening of ties with Ethiopia is seen as a strategic move to consolidate India’s role as a bridge between the G20 and the African continent.