Historic Recognition in Addis Ababa
Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India was honored with Ethiopia's highest civilian award, 'The Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia', on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. The prestigious award was presented by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali during a special ceremony held at the Addis International Convention Centre in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This significant event marks the first time a global Head of State or Government has received this distinguished Ethiopian accolade.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties
The award was conferred upon Prime Minister Modi in recognition of his exceptional contributions towards strengthening the India-Ethiopia partnership and for his visionary leadership as a global statesman. During the visit, India and Ethiopia also agreed to elevate their relationship to a strategic partnership. This elevation aims to inject 'new energy, new speed and new depth' into bilateral cooperation, focusing on areas such as economy, innovation, technology, defense, health, and capacity-building.
PM Modi Dedicates Award to Indian People
Upon receiving the honor, Prime Minister Modi expressed his gratitude, dedicating the award to the 140 crore (1.4 billion) people of India. He remarked that it was 'a matter of great pride' to be honored by 'a very ancient and prosperous civilisation'. Modi also extended his heartfelt appreciation to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, recalling their recent meeting during the G20 Summit in South Africa, where Abiy had urged him to visit Ethiopia.
A Milestone in International Diplomacy
This award is the 28th top foreign state honor bestowed upon Prime Minister Modi, underscoring India's growing diplomatic influence and his leadership's global impact. The visit to Ethiopia was part of a three-nation tour, with PM Modi arriving from Jordan and scheduled to travel to Oman next. In a rare and symbolic gesture reflecting the close ties between the two leaders, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali personally welcomed PM Modi at the airport and drove him to his hotel.
5 Comments
Eric Cartman
Another award? What about the pressing issues back home?
Stan Marsh
The elevation to a strategic partnership with Ethiopia sounds promising for geopolitical influence, yet the actual implementation and impact on trade and technology transfer remain to be seen.
Kyle Broflovski
While the symbolic gesture of Ethiopia's highest honor is a nice touch, the long-term success of this strategic partnership will depend heavily on consistent follow-through and mutual benefit, not just ceremonial events.
Stan Marsh
Receiving international awards certainly boosts national pride, but the true measure of leadership lies in addressing domestic challenges effectively and inclusively.
anubis
It's positive that PM Modi is being recognized on the global stage, however, similar attention should be given to fostering stronger ties with immediate neighbors and resolving regional disputes.