Ethiopia's PM Drives PM Modi From Airport, Takes Detour To THIS Special Place Which Was Not In Itinerary

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Ethiopia on Tuesday on the second leg of his three-nation tour, but it was the warm, unscheduled welcome that stood out. Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed Ali personally received PM Modi at the Addis Ababa International Airport and drove him to the hotel in a rare diplomatic gesture.En route, PM Abiy took an impromptu detour to the Science Museum and Friendship Park, which was not part of the official itinerary. During the informal drive, the Ethiopian leader also spoke to PM Modi about the rich varieties of Ethiopian coffee, underscoring the personal rapport and growing warmth between the two leaders.The Nobel Peace Prize-winning Ethiopian PM's special gestures show remarkable respect for Modi, sources

told ANI."Celebrating age-old India-Ethiopia ties! Prime Minister @narendramodi arrives in Addis Ababa on his maiden bilateral visit to Ethiopia. In a special gesture, PM @AbiyAhmedAli came to personally receive him at the airport. Prime Minister was accorded a warm and colourful welcome," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on social media."Ethiopia is a key partner for India in the Global South and a fellow BRICS Member," he added.

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PM Modi's agenda in Ethiopia

PM Modi will be holding wide-ranging discussions with his counterpart on all aspects of India-Ethiopia bilateral ties."As partners in the Global South, the visit will be a reiteration of the shared commitment of the two nations to advance close ties of friendship and bilateral cooperation," a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs said before his departure from India.In his first visit to Ethiopia, Modi will address the Joint Session of Parliament and share his thoughts on India's journey as the "Mother of Democracy" and the value that the India-Ethiopia partnership can bring to the Global South.Also Read: PM Modi's Historic First Bilateral Visit To Jordan On King Abdullah II's Invitation - What's on Agenda?He will also meet the Indian diaspora during the two-day visit. Addis Ababa is also the headquarters of the African Union. In 2023, during India's G20 Presidency, the African Union was admitted as a permanent member of the G20.(With agency inputs)