India and Ethiopia Forge Strategic Alliance in the Horn of Africa
PM Modi announces partnership to boost trade, infrastructure, and regional influence amid shifting global dynamics.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded a landmark visit to Ethiopia this week, announcing a new India-Ethiopia Strategic Partnership aimed at deepening bilateral ties in trade, infrastructure, and regional diplomacy.
In a joint address to the Ethiopian Parliament, Modi highlighted the historical and developmental connections between the two countries, stressing collaboration in agriculture, technology transfer, and industrial projects. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed welcomed the announcement, framing the partnership as a milestone in advancing Ethiopia’s economic modernization.
A Regional ‘Triangle of Influence’
Strategic analysts note that the partnership forms part of India’s broader geopolitical calculus in the Horn of Africa and Middle East, linking Ethiopia, Jordan, and Oman into a “triangle of influence.” This initiative seeks to secure trade routes, energy corridors, and diplomatic leverage in a region increasingly influenced by competing global powers.
Ethiopia’s strategic location along the Red Sea and Indian Ocean corridors makes it a critical hub for Asia-Africa trade, and India’s engagement is designed to foster stable partnerships for infrastructure and regional development.
Security cooperation is also an implicit pillar. Analysts point to shared interests in maritime security and trade corridor stability, aligning with India’s broader Indo-Pacific strategy. While no formal military alliance has been announced, the partnership strengthens India’s strategic footprint in the Horn of Africa.
Commentators have framed the India-Ethiopia alliance as part of a Global South strategy, emphasizing collaboration between emerging economies to assert agency in international decision-making. The partnership signals a move away from traditional dependency on Western powers, promoting mutual development priorities and regional cooperation.
Both governments have committed to finalizing specific investment frameworks, project timelines, and technical collaboration agreements by early 2026. Observers say the outcome of this partnership will influence not only India and Ethiopia but also the broader Horn.
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