New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred the Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia, the highest civilian award of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, by Ethiopian Prime Minister H.E. Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali during a special ceremony in Addis Ababa on December 16, 2025. The ceremony, held at the Addis International Convention Centre, marked a pivotal moment in India–Ethiopia bilateral relations and represented the first instance of a global head of state or government receiving this distinction.
Historic Diplomatic Recognition
The Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia represents the country’s most prestigious civilian honour, traditionally reserved for individuals who have made exceptional contributions to national development and international partnerships. According to honours lists maintained in institutional records on Ethiopian national decorations, the Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia stands as the highest civilian order in the nation’s honours system.
Prime Minister Modi received the award in recognition of his “exceptional contribution towards strengthening the India–Ethiopia partnership and his visionary leadership as a global statesman,” as stated in the official release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India.
At the ceremony, Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali formally bestowed the honour upon Prime Minister Modi. The conferment followed extensive diplomatic engagements between the two nations in recent years, reflecting deepening cooperation across sectors such as trade, development, education, and strategic collaboration. Prime Minister Modi dedicated the honour to the people of India and to all those who have contributed to the longstanding relationship between India and Ethiopia. He described the award as a recognition of collective efforts by Indians and Ethiopians and expressed deep respect for Ethiopia’s ancient civilisation.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Ethiopia from December 16–17, 2025, marked his first bilateral state visit to the country. The visit followed his attendance at the G20 Summit in South Africa, after which Ethiopian leadership extended an official invitation. During the visit, Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed held comprehensive bilateral talks at the National Palace in Addis Ababa, covering a broad spectrum of cooperation, including economic, educational, technological, and cultural ties. Leaders from both sides agreed to elevate bilateral relations to the level of a Strategic Partnership, signifying institutionalised long-term cooperation.
As part of this strategic engagement, seven memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and agreements were reportedly signed across multiple sectors, reflecting a multi-layered commitment to deepen ties. These include cooperation in agriculture, trade facilitation, health services, and capacity-building initiatives.
Economic and Development Metrics
Trade between India and Ethiopia has shown steady growth over the past decade, with bilateral trade reported to have reached approximately USD 4.2 billion in the fiscal year 2024–25, underscoring the expanding commercial relationship. India remains one of Ethiopia’s leading trading partners outside Africa, importing commodities such as pulses, coffee, and leather products, while exporting pharmaceuticals, machinery, and engineering goods.
Beyond trade, India has supported technical and skill development programmes in Ethiopia through capacity-building collaborations. Indian institutions and professionals have contributed to skills training, healthcare expertise, and knowledge-exchange initiatives, particularly in areas such as urban governance and digital education. These developments reflect sustained institutional cooperation aligned with diplomatic priorities.
State honours conferred by sovereign nations form part of recognised international diplomatic practice. Under customary international law and diplomatic protocol, the exchange of honours serves as a symbolic affirmation of bilateral goodwill and shared interests. While not legally binding instruments, such honours carry significant diplomatic value and often accompany formal agreements or strategic frameworks.
The conferment of the Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia upon an incumbent head of government is rare and legally significant, highlighting Ethiopia’s sovereign prerogative under its national honours system to recognise distinguished contributions by foreign nationals. Recipients of foreign state honours do not receive automatic legal privileges under Indian law; however, acceptance and public wearing of such honours are subject to India’s statutory framework, which generally requires approval from relevant authorities, including the President of India, in accordance with established protocol.
The award adds to Prime Minister Modi’s growing list of international recognitions and contributes to India’s global diplomatic profile. According to international records, this honour joins several foreign state honours previously conferred upon him, illustrating the role of diplomatic accolades in strengthening bilateral and multilateral relations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s receipt of the Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia marks a historic milestone in India–Ethiopia relations. Conferred during his first bilateral visit to Addis Ababa, the award underscores the evolving strategic partnership between the two nations and exemplifies the role of state honours in contemporary international diplomacy.
