Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed Ali Drives PM Modi To Science Museum In Special Gesture

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a warm and personal welcome in Ethiopia, with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali greeting him at Addis Ababa airport and personally driving him to the hotel.

In a gesture that went beyond diplomatic protocol, Abiy Ahmed also took PM Modi to the Science Museum and Friendship Park en route, sites that were not part of the official itinerary.

The move by the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Ethiopian Prime Minister was seen as a mark of deep respect and a reflection of the growing warmth in India–Ethiopia relations.

#WATCH | PM of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed Ali received PM Narendra Modi at the Addis Ababa airport. In a unique gesture, he also drove PM Modi to the hotel.

On the way, he took a special initiative of taking PM Modi

to the Science Museum and Friendship Park, which was not in the… pic.twitter.com/bZpHMRX5kj

— ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2025

After arriving in Addis Ababa, Prime Minister Modi acknowledged the Ethiopian Prime Minister’s special gesture of personally welcoming him at the airport.

“Landed in Addis Ababa a short while ago. Honoured by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali’s gesture of welcoming me at the airport. Ethiopia is a nation with great history and vibrant culture. India and Ethiopia share deep civilisational ties. I look forward to engaging with the Ethiopian leadership to further strengthen our partnership in diverse areas,” said PM Modi in an X post.

PM Modi’s visit to Ethiopia is part of his ongoing three-nation tour covering Jordan, Ethiopia and Oman.

Earlier, he arrived in Jordan’s Amman, where he was received by Jordanian Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, who extended a formal welcome at the airport.

Expressing gratitude for the reception, PM Modi said the visit would further strengthen bilateral ties.

Before departing India, the Prime Minister said the tour would focus on countries with which India shares deep civilisational bonds as well as strong contemporary partnerships.

From Amman, PM Modi travelled to Ethiopia at the invitation of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, marking his first visit to the African nation.

During his stay, he is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Abiy Ahmed, interact with members of the Indian diaspora, and address a joint session of the Ethiopian Parliament.

In his address, PM Modi is expected to speak on India’s democratic traditions and the expanding India-Ethiopia partnership within the Global South.

The final leg of his tour will take him to the Sultanate of Oman, where he will engage with the Indian community and hold discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation.