PM Modi Makes History as First Head of Government to Receive Ethiopia's Highest Honor

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made history as the first global head of government to receive Ethiopia's highest honor, 'The Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia'.

The prestigious award was presented to PM Modi by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali during a special ceremony held at the Addis International Convention Centre on Tuesday.

According to a statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi, this recognition was bestowed upon Prime Minister Modi for his exceptional contributions toward strengthening the India-Ethiopia partnership and for his visionary leadership as a global statesman.

The Indian MEA shared the news on social media platform X, highlighting the deep cultural connections between India and Ethiopia, accompanied by photos of the ceremony.

Upon receiving this unprecedented honor, Prime Minister Modi expressed his gratitude on X, stating: "I'm honored to be conferred with the 'Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia.' I dedicate it to the 140 crore people of India."

During his acceptance speech, the Prime Minister noted that it was a privilege to receive such recognition from one of the world's most ancient civilizations, accepting the award with humility and gratitude.

PM Modi conveyed his sincere appreciation to Prime Minister Abiy and the Ethiopian people for this honor. He also praised PM Abiy's leadership and initiatives focused on national unity, sustainability, and inclusive development.

Emphasizing the importance of education in nation-building, Modi highlighted the significant role Indian teachers have played for over a century in contributing to Ethiopia's progress and development.

The Prime Minister dedicated the award to all Indians and Ethiopians who have nurtured bilateral relations between the two nations over generations, expressing heartfelt gratitude on behalf of 1.4 billion Indians for this prestigious recognition.

This historic conferment marks a significant milestone in the partnership between India and Ethiopia and further advances the positive agenda of the Global South.