Addis Ababa, 16 December (H.S.): Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Addis Ababa on Tuesday on his first official visit to Ethiopia, receiving an exceptionally warm welcome from Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, who personally received him at the airport and joined him in a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony that showcased the country’s rich cultural heritage.

Special Gesture at Addis Ababa Airport

Soon after his aircraft touched down, PM Modi was greeted on the tarmac by Dr Abiy, in a gesture that went beyond standard protocol and underlined the importance Ethiopia attaches to its partnership with India. The two leaders took part in a traditional coffee ceremony at the Addis Ababa airport, an elaborate ritual that involves freshly roasting, grinding and brewing Ethiopian coffee beans in front of guests, which PM Modi later described as a beautiful reflection of Ethiopia’s heritage.

Civilisational Bonds and Strategic Agenda

In a message on X, PM Modi said he felt honoured by Dr Abiy’s gesture, calling Ethiopia “a nation with great history and vibrant culture” and noting that India and Ethiopia share deep civilisational ties. He added that he looked forward to engaging with the Ethiopian leadership to further strengthen cooperation in diverse areas, including political engagement, development partnership, trade, investment and people‑to‑people contacts, as part of India’s broader commitment to South–South cooperation and its outreach to Africa.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar