Historic Milestone: PM Modi Becomes First World Leader to Receive Ethiopia’s Highest Award

Addis Ababa, December 17, 2025 — In a landmark event for India’s diplomatic relations with Africa, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with “The Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia” on Tuesday. This is the highest civilian award of Ethiopia, and PM Modi has made history as the first global head of state or government to receive this prestigious honor.

The award was presented by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali during a special ceremony at the Addis International Convention Centre.

A Recognition of Global Leadership

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that the award recognizes PM Modi’s:

• Visionary leadership as a global statesman.
• Exceptional contribution toward strengthening the India-Ethiopia partnership.
• Advocacy for the Global South on the international stage.

With this latest accolade, Prime Minister Modi has now received 28 international state honors from various nations, reflecting India’s growing global stature.

“I Dedicate This to 140 Crore Indians,” Accepting the award with humility, PM Modi took to social media to share the pride with the citizens of India.

“I’m honoured to be conferred with the ‘Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia.’ I dedicate it to the 140 crore people of India,” PM Modi posted on X.

During his speech, he noted the significance of receiving such an honor from one of the world’s most ancient civilizations. He also paid tribute to the generations of Indians—including teachers, traders, and soldiers—who have nurtured ties between the two nations for over a century.

Strengthening the India-Ethiopia Partnership

The conferment of the award took place against the backdrop of a highly productive state visit. Key developments from the visit include:

• Strategic Partnership: India and Ethiopia have officially elevated their bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership, opening new avenues for cooperation in defense, technology, and the economy.
• New Agreements: Three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed, covering Customs Matters, the establishment of a Data Centre at the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and UN Peacekeeping Operations Training.
• Educational Support: India announced the doubling of ICCR scholarships for Ethiopian students and the introduction of AI courses through the ITEC program.

The visit was marked by several warm, personal gestures. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali personally received PM Modi at the airport and, in a rare move, drove the Indian Prime Minister to his hotel. The two leaders also shared a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony and visited the Science Museum and Friendship Park in Addis Ababa.

As the headquarters of the African Union, Ethiopia serves as a vital partner for India’s “Africa Outreach” policy. This visit further solidifies India’s commitment to an inclusive world order and the progress of the African continent.