Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Tuesday conferred Ethiopia’s highest civilian honour, the “Great Honor Nishan of Ethiopia”, as he began his first bilateral visit to the African nation and held talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali.
The award marks the 28th foreign state honour bestowed on Modi. He arrived in Addis Ababa from Jordan on the second leg of his three-nation tour and was accorded a warm ceremonial reception. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali personally welcomed Modi at the airport, signalling the importance Addis Ababa attached to the visit.
In a rare and symbolic gesture, Abiy Ahmed Ali also drove Prime Minister Modi to his hotel, underscoring the close personal rapport between the two leaders and the growing warmth in India–Ethiopia relations.
Following the conferment, Modi shared his reaction on X, saying, “I have been awarded the ‘Great Honour of the Nishan of Ethiopia’, the highest honour of this country. It is a matter of great pride for me to be honoured by one of the world’s most ancient and rich civilisations.”
मुझे ‘Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia’ के रूप में, इस देश का सर्वोच्च सम्मान प्रदान किया गया है।विश्व की अति-प्राचीन और समृद्ध सभ्यता द्वारा सम्मानित किया जाना, मेरे लिए बहुत गौरव की बात है: PM @narendramodi— PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 16, 2025
The Great Honor Nishan of Ethiopia was instituted in September 2024 and is awarded to individuals, organisations or nations that have made outstanding contributions in diplomacy, politics, or economic and social development, or have provided exceptional support to Ethiopia.
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates was the first recipient of the honour, receiving it in June 2025 for his development work through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
With the latest conferment, Modi becomes the first foreign head of state or government to receive the prestigious Ethiopian award, highlighting deepening diplomatic engagement between the two countries.
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