Text of PM’s address at public meeting in Dantewada, Chhattisgarh

Your Excellency, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia,
Honourable Speakers of both Houses of Parliament,
Honourable Members,
Excellencies,
and my dear sisters and brothers of Ethiopia,

It is a moment of great privilege for me to stand before you today. It is wonderful to be here in Ethiopia, the land of lions. I feel very much at home. Because my home state Gujarat in India, is also home to Lions.

I am honoured to be here, in this temple of democracy, in the heart of a nation with ancient wisdom and modern aspirations. And, I come to you with deep respect for your Parliament, your people, and your democratic journey. On behalf of the 1.4 billion people of India, I bring greetings of friendship, goodwill, and brotherhood.

I bring greetings of friendship, goodwill, and brotherhood.

तेना इस्तील्लीन
सलाम

Honourable Members,

In this great building, your laws are shaped. Here, the will of the people becomes the will of the state. And when the will of the state is in harmony with the will of the people, the wheel of progress moves forward with hope and purpose.

Through you, I am also speaking to your farmers in the fields, To the entrepreneurs building new ideas, to the proud women leading communities and institutions, and, to the young people of Ethiopia who are shaping the future. I thank you for this immense privilege.

Yesterday, I was also honoured to receive the Grand Honor, Nishan of Ethiopia, from my dear friend Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed. I accept this award with folded hands, with humility, on behalf of the people of India.

आम सग्नालो

Honourable Members,

Ethiopia is one of the oldest civilisations in human history. Here, history is alive in the mountains, in the valleys, and in the hearts of the Ethiopian people. Today, Ethiopia stands tall because its roots are deep. To stand in Ethiopia is to stand where the past is honoured, the present is full of purpose, and the future is welcomed with open hearts.

This blend of old and new... This balance between ancient wisdom and modern ambition... This is the true strength of Ethiopia.

This spirit of मेडेमर, or synergy, is very familiar to us in India. Like the monolithic churches of लालिबेला, the ancient rock temples of Tamil Nadu in India are also prayers set in stone. We too are an ancient civilisation, walking confidently into the future.

With the call of सबका साथ, सबका विकास, सबका विश्वास, सबका प्रयास। Together, for everyone’s growth, with everyone’s trust and effort. Our emotions for our motherland, also reflect our shared perspectives.

India’s national song Vande Mataram, and the Ethiopian national anthem, both refer to our land as the mother. They inspire us to take pride in the heritage, culture, natural beauty and protect the motherland.

Honourable Members,

Science has traced some of the earliest footprints of our species in Ethiopia. When the world speaks of Lucy, of दिन्किनेश they are not speaking only of a fossil. They are speaking of a beginning. A beginning that belongs to all of us, whether we live in आडिस अबाबा or in Ayodhya.

In India, we say Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the world is one family. It reminds us that beyond politics, beyond borders, beyond differences, we share a common origin. And if our beginning was shared, then our destiny must also be shared.

Honourable Members,

India and Ethiopia share warmth in climate, as well as in spirit. Nearly two thousand years ago, our ancestors built connections across great waters. Across the Indian Ocean, merchants sailed with spices, cotton, coffee, and gold. But, they traded more than goods. They exchanged ideas, stories, and ways of life. Ports like अदूलिस and Dholera were not just trade centres. They were bridges between civilisations.

In modern times, our relationship entered a new era. Indian soldiers fought alongside Ethiopians for the liberation of Ethiopia in 1941. Our formal diplomatic relations began soon after India became independent.

But even before embassies were set up, our people had already started writing a new chapter together. Thousands of Indian teachers came to Ethiopia. They taught children in आडिस अबाबा, in दिरे दावा, from बाहिर दार to मेकेले. They reached Ethiopian schools, and entered Ethiopian hearts. Even today, many Ethiopian parents speak warmly about Indian teachers who shaped the future of their children.

And just as Indian teachers came here, Ethiopian students also travelled to India, seeking knowledge and friendship. They went to India as students and returned home as the builders of modern Ethiopia. I am told that some of them are present here in this Parliament right now! Including the Honourable Speaker तागेसे चाफो.

They have also played a special role in building our people-to-people ties. Because they introduced Ethiopian cuisine in India. In India, we also enjoy eating "श्री अन्न” millets like Ragi and Bajra. So, the flavour of Ethiopian टेफ is very comforting for us. And, since we enjoy eating the Indian Thali, the Ethiopian बेया-नैतू also feels very familiar to us.

Honourable Members,

Today, Indian companies are among the largest foreign investors in Ethiopia. They have invested more than five billion dollars in diverse sectors like textiles, manufacturing, agriculture, health, and more. And, they have created more than seventy-five thousand local jobs.

But, I am sure we can all agree, our partnership has a lot more potential. That is why, Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed and I took a big step forward yesterday. We have decided to elevate our bilateral relationship to the level of a Strategic Partnership.

This will unleash the potential of our economies, through cooperation in technology, innovation, mining, sustainability, and clean energy. It will also help secure the future for our peoples through cooperation in food security, health security and capacity building. In addition, we will also enhance our trade and investment cooperation, as well as on defence and security matters.

Honourable Members,

As developing countries, we have a lot to learn from and offer to each other. Agriculture forms the backbone of our two nations. It feeds our people. It sustains our farmers. It connects tradition with innovation. We can work together to develop better seeds, irrigation systems and soil-health technologies.

As climate change affects rainfall and crop cycles, we can share knowledge in climate-resilient farming. From dairy farming to farm mechanisation, from millet research to food processing, together, we can help our farmers prosper.

Honourable Members,

In India, we have built a robust Digital Public Infrastructure. It has transformed the way we deliver services and how people access them. Today, every citizen in India can use technology for payments, for identity, and for government services. More than half of the world’s real-time digital payments now happen in India.

Welfare benefits worth over 500 billion dollars have reached hundreds of millions of beneficiaries directly in their bank accounts, without leakages or corruption. Three times every year, nearly 100 million farmers receive financial assistance at the click of a button.

As you roll out the Digital Ethiopia 2025 Strategy, we are ready to share our expertise and our experience with Ethiopia. And, we are honoured that you have picked India as the trusted partner to develop the Data Centre for your Foreign Ministry.

Honourable Members,

India is known as the pharmacy of the world. During the Covid pandemic, the entire world was worried. It was a very difficult time. Despite limited resources, we considered it our sacred duty to humanity to do everything possible to help others.

India sent medicines and vaccines to more than 150 countries. It was India’s proud privilege to supply Ethiopia with over 4 million vaccine doses. And, our good fortune to do so in partnership with the W.H.O led by डॉक्टर टेडरोस, a proud son of Ethiopia, known in India as तुलसी भाई.

I am glad that our healthcare cooperation is growing, from pharmaceuticals to hospitals, and from traditional medicine to telemedicine. We are committed to strengthen our health security cooperation further - from provisioning of new equipment in hospitals, to capacity building of healthcare professionals.

Honourable Members,

Ethiopia sits at a crossroads of Africa. India stands at the heart of the Indian Ocean. We are natural partners in regional peace, security, and connectivity.

Our commitment to mutual security became stronger with the signing of the Defence Cooperation Agreement earlier this year. This agreement focuses on closer military cooperation. It includes collaboration in cybersecurity, in defence industries, in joint research, and in capacity building.

I take this opportunity to thank Ethiopia for your solidarity after the terrorist attack in India in Pahalgam in April. I also thank you for receiving our All Party Parliamentary Delegation so warmly, and for affirming the commitment of Zero Tolerance towards terrorism.

Honourable Members,

As vibrant and diverse democracies, we both understand that democracy is a way of life, and it is a journey. It is shaped sometimes by debate, sometimes by disagreement, but always by belief in the rule of law and the will of the people.

Both our constitutions also reflect this spirit. India’s Constitution begins with the words: "We, the People of India.” Ethiopia’s Constitution begins with: "We, the Nations, Nationalities and Peoples of Ethiopia.” Their message is the same: our destiny is in our hands.

This morning, I had the honor to lay a wreath at the आड्वा Victory Monument. This monument is a timeless reminder of how Ethiopia’s victory inspired the entire colonised world in its quest for dignity and freedom. And in these times of conflict and uncertainty, it is a reminder that the people of the Global South can stand up for themselves.

Honourable Members,

Mahatma Gandhi gave us the concept of trusteeship. We do not own this beautiful planet and its resources. Instead, we are trustees who must take care of them and pass them to our children. The spirit of trusteeship that guides India’s "एक पेड़ माँ के नाम” - "A Tree for Mother” initiative - is also reflected in Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative.

Both our nations believe in caring for Mother Earth. Both believe in giving back to nature. Together, let us work on renewable energy and green jobs. Let us work on disaster resilient infrastructure and bio-fuels. And let us raise a strong voice for climate justice. India will be happy to support Ethiopia’s efforts to give a powerful voice to the Global South at COP-32 in 2027.

Honourable Members,

I am told that there is a saying in Ethiopia, "When spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion.” We too believe in India, that मन मिलें तो पर्वत भी रास्ता दे देते हैं - when hearts are united, even mountains give way.

Indeed, solidarity is strength, and cooperation is power. And today, as nations of the Global South, as ancient civilisations, as friends, India and Ethiopia are standing together. We stand together as members of one family. And we work for a world that is more just, more equal, and more peaceful.

It was here, in आडिस अबाबा, that the dreams of African unity found a home. I am told that many streets of this wonderful city are even named after African countries!

On the other side of the Indian Ocean, it was in New Delhi, that India was honoured to welcome the African Union as a permanent member of the G20. Last year, we marked another historic step with the inclusion of Ethiopia as a full member of the BRICS.

In fact, over the 11 years of my government, the connection between India and Africa has grown manifold. During this period, we have exchanged more than 100 visits at the level of Heads of State and Government.

Honourable Members,

The Global South is writing its own destiny. And, India and Ethiopia share a vision for it. Our vision is of a world where the Global South rises not against anyone, but for everyone.

A world where development is fair, where technology is accessible, and where sovereignty is respected. A world where prosperity is shared, and peace is defended. And, a world where decision-making reflects today’s reality, not the world of 1945. Because the world cannot move forward if its systems remain locked in the past.

That is why, India has emphasized a Global Development Compact. It will prioritize technology sharing, affordable finance, capacity building, and trade for sustainable growth. That is why, at the G-20 Summit in November, I called for an "Africa Skills Multiplier Initiative”, to train one million trainers. It will build local capacities, and help your efforts towards inclusive and sustainable development.

Honourable Members,

My personal association with tea is well-known. But, it is impossible to come to Ethiopia and not mention coffee! It is one of your greatest gifts to the world!

In an Ethiopian coffee ceremony, people sit together, time slows down, and friendships deepen. In India too, a cup of tea is an invitation to talk, to share, to connect. And, just like Ethiopian coffee and Indian tea, our friendship is brewing stronger!

Today, I stand before you, among sisters and brothers, with a deep sense of gratitude, and bright hopes for the future. The future is calling. And, India and Ethiopia are ready to answer.

Honourable Members,

As I conclude, I give you my word, that we will walk together as equals. We will build together as partners. And, we will succeed together as friends.

Thank you for the honour of addressing this Parliament. Thank you for your friendship. Thank you for your trust.

तब्बारकु
देना हुन्नु
आम सग्नालो

Thank you.