PM Abiy Congratulates Indian Counterpart Narendra Modi on Historic Leadership Milestone

Addis Ababa, June 10, 2026 (FMC) — Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has congratulated his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, on becoming India’s longest-serving prime minister.

In a message shared on X this morning, Prime Minister Abiy described Modi as his “elder brother and dear friend” and congratulated him on the historic milestone of leading India with vision and determination across three consecutive democratic mandates, earning the sustained trust of the world’s largest and most vibrant democracy.

The Ethiopian premier said Prime Minister Modi’s governance has lifted millions of people out of poverty, expanded digital public infrastructure on an unprecedented scale, and driven remarkable infrastructure development that has fueled India’s rapid economic progress.

Prime Minister Abiy also commended Modi for being a strong and consistent voice for the Global South.

PM Narendra Modi has become the longest-serving elected Prime Minister of India today, according to a report by All India Radio News .

The report noted that Modi has surpassed the record of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru who first took oath as an elected Prime Minister on 13th May 1952 and served until 27th May 1964. Pandit Nehru’s tenure as an elected Prime Minister amounted to 4,398 days.

From 26th May 2014 to today 10th June 2026, PM Modi’s continuous tenure is now 4,399 days, making him the longest-serving elected Prime Minister in India’s history.

Ethiopia and India share longstanding diplomatic relations spanning more than seven decades, anchored in strong political engagement, expanding economic cooperation, and enduring people-to-people ties. In recent years, the relationship has gained renewed momentum under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who have maintained regular interactions both bilaterally and on the sidelines of major multilateral platforms, including BRICS and the G20, where they have consistently exchanged views on strengthening cooperation and advancing the interests of the Global South.

The bilateral partnership reached a new milestone during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit to Ethiopia in December 2025, the first by an Indian prime minister in nearly six decades. During the visit, the two sides held extensive discussions on strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, digital public infrastructure, agriculture, manufacturing, health, education, and capacity building. The visit also witnessed the elevation of Ethiopia–India relations to a Strategic Partnership, reflecting the growing depth and breadth of engagement between the two countries.

In a special ceremony held in Addis Ababa during the visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred Ethiopia’s highest state honour, the Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia, by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, in recognition of his contribution to strengthening bilateral relations and his leadership in advancing global cooperation.

Economic ties between the two countries continue to expand steadily. India remains one of Ethiopia’s key trading partners and among the leading sources of foreign direct investment, with Indian companies active in sectors such as agriculture, textiles, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, engineering, and information and communication technology, contributing to job creation, skills transfer, and industrial development in Ethiopia.

Beyond economic cooperation, Ethiopia and India continue to deepen collaboration in education, health, science and technology, defence training, and multilateral diplomacy. Their partnership is further reinforced through platforms such as BRICS, where both countries work alongside other members to promote reform of global governance structures, enhance South–South cooperation, and advance inclusive and sustainable development.

The relationship continues to be shaped by sustained diplomatic engagement, shared development priorities, and a common vision for a more balanced and representative international order.