PM Modi Receives Ethiopia’s Highest Civilian Award

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred Ethiopia’s highest award ‘The Great Order of the Seal of Ethiopia’ by his Ethiopian counterpart Abiy Ahmed Ali.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred Ethiopia’s highest award ‘The Great Order of the Seal of Ethiopia’ by his Ethiopian counterpart Abiy Ahmed Ali on 16 December, 2025. Prime Minister Modi is the first global head of state to receive this award.
• This award was presented to Prime Minister Modi at a special ceremony held at the Addis International Convention Center.
• In a statement issued in New Delhi, the Ministry of External Affairs said that Prime Minister Modi was given this award for his exceptional contribution to strengthening the India–Ethiopia partnership and for his visionary leadership as a global statesman.
• This is the 28th recognition of Prime Minister Modi as a statesman by a foreign nation, reflecting India’s growing stature in global diplomacy.

India and Ethiopia

• India and Ethiopia have elevated their long-standing relationship to a Strategic Partnership, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held discussions on several issues with his Ethiopian counterpart, Abiy Ahmed Ali, in Addis Ababa. Both leaders discussed issues of mutual and shared interest.
• Both countries also signed eight MoUs/Agreements, which include upgrading relations to a ‘Strategic Partnership’, customs cooperation, setting up a data center in Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, UN peacekeeping training cooperation, debt restructuring under the G20, more ICCR scholarships, and AI short courses for the people of Ethiopia.
• The Prime Minister addressed a session of the Ethiopian Parliament. The Prime Minister also visited the Science Museum in the city. This museum showcases different aspects of science and innovation and also explains how they can be used for Ethiopia’s progress.
• PM Modi also visited Friendship Park and Friendship Square in Addis Ababa with Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a grand welcome upon his arrival in Addis Ababa.

Major international honours received by Prime Minister Modi