New Delhi/Addis Ababa,17 December (H.S.): Prime Minister Narendra Modi humbly accepted Ethiopia's highest civilian distinction, the 'Great Honour Nishan,' on Tuesday, dedicating the accolade to the 140 crore citizens of India in a poignant gesture during the culminating ceremony of his transformative two-day state visit.

The conferment unfolded at the Addis Ababa International Convention Centre, where Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali lauded Modi's visionary leadership in advancing Global South solidarity and democratic resilience, capping deliberations that elevated bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership.

PM Modi had arrived in the Ethiopian capital on Tuesday, December 16, to an unprecedented reception by Abiy at the airport, who personally chauffeured him through iconic landmarks like the Science Museum and Friendship Park amid streets festooned with Indian tricolours and welcome arches.

This landmark journey—Modi's first official bilateral to Ethiopia—constitutes the core segment of his four-day, three-nation diplomatic foray: commencing in Jordan on December 15-16, spanning Ethiopia until December 17, and concluding in Oman.

Preceding the honour, Modi savored Ethiopia's cultural patrimony at the National Palace Museum, followed by a ceremonial welcome at the National Palace, where pacts crystallized on agri-tech for food security, AI-driven capacity enhancement with doubled scholarships, Digital Public Infrastructure synergy, and maternal healthcare bolstering at Mahatma Gandhi Hospital.

These milestones, alongside MoUs for UN peacekeeping and customs collaboration, affirm India's deepening African footprint amid Ethiopia's economic ascent.

As Modi transitions to Oman, the Nishan symbolizes a profound testament to Indo-Ethiopian camaraderie.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar