PM Modi's Strategic 'Car Diplomacy': Building International Relations Through Personal Gestures

Prime Minister Narendra Modi touched down in Ethiopia on Tuesday to commence his significant two-day diplomatic engagement. In a warm gesture highlighting the importance of bilateral relations, Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali personally welcomed PM Modi at Addis Ababa airport before driving him to his accommodation. During their journey, they made an impromptu visit to the Science Museum and Friendship Park.

The Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized the historical connection between the two nations on social media platform X, stating: "Celebrating age-old India-Ethiopia ties! Prime Minister @narendramodi arrives in Addis Ababa on his maiden bilateral visit to Ethiopia. In a special gesture, PM @AbiyAhmedAli came to personally receive him at the airport. Prime Minister was accorded a warm and colourful welcome."

This diplomatic visit is expected to encompass comprehensive discussions between PM Modi and his Ethiopian counterpart, addressing all dimensions of the India-Ethiopia relationship.

The Ethiopian leg represents the second phase of PM Modi's three-nation diplomatic tour. This inaugural visit to the African country underscores India's deepening engagement with the continent.

Prior to arriving in Ethiopia, PM Modi concluded a historic two-day visit to Jordan, marking 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations. While officially received by Jordanian Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, a particularly noteworthy moment occurred when Jordan's Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II personally drove PM Modi to the Jordan Museum in Amman. This visit carries special significance as the first bilateral visit by an Indian prime minister to Jordan in 37 years.

PM Modi shared photographs on social media showing himself in the passenger seat of the 31-year-old Crown Prince's BMW, with the caption: "On the way to the Jordan Museum with His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al-Hussein bin Abdullah II."

Following his Ethiopia engagement, PM Modi will continue to Oman for the third segment of his diplomatic journey.

These personal vehicular exchanges have become recognized as PM Modi's distinctive approach to 'car diplomacy.' The 75-year-old leader has cultivated this increasingly notable tradition of sharing informal car rides with world leaders, symbolizing personal trust and strategic proximity between nations.

A recent example occurred when PM Modi broke protocol to personally receive Russian President Vladimir Putin at Palam Airport. The two leaders traveled together in a white Toyota Fortuner to the Prime Minister's residence at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg. This marked Putin's first visit to India in four years for the India-Russia Annual Summit.

This gesture echoed a similar moment in 2025 when PM Modi joined Putin in his Russian-manufactured Aurus Senat limousine during a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit.

PM Modi's selection of an Indian-assembled Toyota Fortuner over European luxury vehicles conveyed a symbolic message about India's "independent foreign policy" stance and reinforcement of the "Make in India" initiative, particularly notable amid Western sanctions on Russia.