Ethiopia confers top honour on PM Modi, making him first world leader to receive prestigious honour

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.”

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.