Global South shaping its own destiny, India and Ethiopia share common vision: PM

Prime Minister PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the Global South is shaping its own future as he addressed a joint session of the Ethiopian Parliament during his visit to the country news agency ANI reportedldquoThe Global South is writing its own destiny and India and Ethiopia share a vision for the futurerdquo PM Modi said adding that developing nations are moving ahead with confidence and clarity about their prioritiesReferring to Indiarsquos worldview he stated ldquoOur vision is of a world where the Global South rises not against anyone but for everyonerdquoPM Modi also stressed the need to reform global governance structures and said that the world cannot progress if institutions remain rooted in the past ANI reportedldquoA world where development is fair where technology is accessible and where sovereignty is respectedhellip the world cannot move forward if its system remains locked in the pastrdquo he said in an apparent reference to global institutions shaped in 1945Highlighting civilisational links PM Modi said scientific research has traced some of the earliest human footprints to EthiopialdquoWe share a common origin whether we live in Addis Ababa or Ayodhya If our beginning was shared then our destiny must also be sharedrdquo he statedSpeaking about historical ties the PM noted that India and Ethiopia have shared connections for nearly 2000 yearsldquoAcross the Indian Ocean merchants sailed with spices and gold but they traded more than goods they exchanged ideas and way of liferdquo he saidHe also recalled that Indian soldiers fought alongside Ethiopians during the liberation of Ethiopia in 1941 ANI reportedPM Modi said Indian companies are among the largest investors in EthiopialdquoThey have invested more than five billion dollars across diverse sectors and generated more than 75000 jobsrdquo he said adding that the two countries have decided to elevate their bilateral ties to a Strategic PartnershipDrawing a cultural parallel the PM said ldquoIn an Ethiopian coffee ceremony people sit together time slows down and friendship deepens In India too a cup of tea is an invitation to talk to share to connectrdquo He added ldquoJust like Ethiopian coffee and Indian tea our friendship is brewing strongestrdquoPM Modi set to visit Oman nextReferring to his visit to the Adwa Victory Monument he further stated ldquoIt was an honour to lay a wreath at the Adwa Victory Monument This monument is a timeless reminder of how Ethiopias victory inspired the entire colonised world in its quest for dignity and freedomrdquoOn Indiarsquos role during the pandemic he said ldquoIndia sent medicines and vaccines to more than 150 countries during Covid It was Indiarsquos proud privilege to supply Ethiopia with over four million vaccine dosesrdquoAfter concluding his address PM Modi met members of the Ethiopian ParliamentEarlier in the day he said the outcomes of his Ethiopia visit marked ldquosignificant steps forwardrdquo in a trusted peoplecentric partnership between the two countries with a strong focus on youth skills innovation and healthcareIn a post on X the PM stated that the cooperation between India and Ethiopia spans governance peacekeeping digital capacity education and healthcare with the shared aim of empowering people and promoting inclusive growthldquoThese are significant steps forward in our longstanding and trusted partnership From governance and peacekeeping to digital capacity and education the focus remains on empowering our people The emphasis on knowledge skills and innovation underscores our shared faith in youth as the drivers of tomorrow Cooperation in healthcare reflects a deeper commitment to human dignity and care for the most vulnerablerdquo he saidAfter Ethiopia PM Modi is set to visit Oman for the final leg of his threenation tour He is expected to arrive in Oman later on WednesdayWith ANI inputs