India and Ethiopia Forge Strategic Partnership for Health, Digital, and Energy

India and Ethiopia have outlined a new phase of sector-specific cooperation focused on health security, digital public infrastructure and clean energy, following high-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed. The discussions, held as part of an official bilateral engagement and supported by subsequent diplomatic briefings, form a core pillar of the decision to elevate India–Ethiopia ties to a Strategic Partnership.

According to official readouts, the two leaders agreed that the partnership will be increasingly anchored in practical collaboration on technology-driven public services, access to affordable healthcare, resilient food systems and sustainable energy transitions. These priorities are being framed by both sides as integral to wider Global South cooperation and to building more inclusive models of growth and governance.

Context of the talks and strategic elevation of ties

Formal diplomatic relations between India and Ethiopia date back to 1950 and have expanded over the decades into a broad-based partnership covering trade, investment, capacity building and development cooperation.[1] India is among Ethiopia’s leading trading partners in Africa and one of the largest foreign investors in the country, with Indian companies having invested more than USD 5 billion across sectors such as textiles, manufacturing, agriculture and health, generating over 75,000 local jobs.[2]

In recent years, the relationship has been sustained through regular summit, ministerial and institutional interactions, including meetings between the two prime ministers on the sidelines of multilateral summits such as the G20 and BRICS, as well as foreign minister-level consultations and sectoral dialogues.[1] This period has also seen progress in areas such as defence cooperation, innovation and technology, education and skills, and people-to-people exchanges.

Against this background, the latest round of talks has resulted in an agreement to elevate bilateral ties to the level of a Strategic Partnership, described by both governments as a step intended to provide “new energy” and “new depth” to the relationship.[3] As part of this upgraded framework, the two sides have prioritised health security, digital public infrastructure and clean energy as key cooperation tracks.

Health security: vaccines, digital health and affordable medicines

Health security featured prominently in the talks, with India conveying its readiness to expand collaboration with Ethiopia in multiple health-related domains, including digital health platforms, traditional medicine and access to low-cost pharmaceuticals.[1]

During the exchanges, the Indian side recalled its role in supplying vaccines to Ethiopia during the COVID-19 pandemic as part of its broader health outreach under the principle of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (the world is one family).[4] This was highlighted as an example of how India’s public health capacities, including vaccine production and distribution, can support health security in partner countries.

Officials have indicated that future health collaboration will focus on three broad areas: systems, services and skills.

Strengthening health systems and digital health

India has expressed willingness to share its development experience in digital health, including how technology is being leveraged domestically to improve access, continuity of care and public health monitoring.[3] This aligns with India’s national programmes for digital health records, telemedicine and integrated health information systems, and opens the possibility of technical cooperation, capacity building and pilot projects in Ethiopia.

Specific areas under consideration include:

• Use of digital platforms for registration of patients and facilities, health data management and disease surveillance
• Tele-consultation and telemedicine models linking urban specialists to remote or underserved areas
• Digital tools to support public health campaigns, vaccinations and maternal and child health services

The introduction or strengthening of digital health systems in Ethiopia, supported by India’s experience, is expected to improve the efficiency and reach of health services, particularly in rural and semi-urban regions. Administratively, such cooperation can involve technical training for health officials, joint workshops, and possible integration of digital health modules into broader e-governance capacity-building programmes.

Traditional medicine and Jan Aushadhi

India has also proposed cooperation on traditional medicine and affordable medicines through initiatives such as Jan Aushadhi Kendras, which are government-supported outlets that provide generic medicines at reduced prices.[1]

Although specific projects have not yet been publicly detailed, potential cooperation could include:

• Exchanges between regulatory authorities on quality standards, safety protocols and clinical validation of traditional medicines
• Capacity building in pharmaceutical supply chain management and public procurement for affordable generics
• Exploring models for low-cost pharmacy networks adapted to Ethiopian regulatory and market conditions

Such measures, if implemented, are likely to support Ethiopia’s efforts to expand access to essential medicines and reduce out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure, while also creating avenues for Indian pharmaceutical and traditional medicine expertise to contribute to local health systems.

Food security, agriculture and nutrition linkages

Health security in the bilateral framework is closely linked with food security and nutrition. India has conveyed its willingness to work with Ethiopia on sustainable agriculture, natural farming and agri-technology solutions.[1] In official statements, Indian representatives have emphasised sharing experience in agri-technology and natural farming as part of a broader approach to food and health security.[3]

This convergence opens up space for integrated programmes that connect agricultural productivity, climate-resilient farming and nutrition outcomes, particularly for vulnerable populations. Administratively, this can take the form of joint research projects, demonstration farms, training programmes and knowledge partnerships between agricultural research institutions in both countries.

Digital Public Infrastructure: building inclusive digital ecosystems

A major outcome of the talks is the decision to explore cooperation in the area of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), covering foundational digital systems such as digital identity, payments, data exchange and e-governance platforms.[1]

India has, in recent years, positioned its DPI architecture as a model for inclusive digital transformation, with components like digital identity frameworks, interoperable payments systems and public digital platforms used by government and private providers. During the meeting, Prime Minister Modi shared India’s development experience in digital public infrastructure and innovation, and signalled readiness to continue development support aligned to Ethiopia’s priorities.[4]

Scope of DPI cooperation

The reference to DPI in the official briefing suggests a broad canvas for cooperation that could include:

• Foundational identity and authentication systems to support service delivery
• Interoperable payment platforms facilitating government-to-person transfers, merchant payments and financial inclusion
• Core registries and data-sharing frameworks for sectors such as health, agriculture, education and social protection
• Capacity building for digital governance, cybersecurity and regulatory frameworks

Engagement in DPI is expected to operate through a combination of technical exchanges, training programmes, study visits and, potentially, collaborative pilot projects. Previous Indian cooperation with other countries on similar lines has often involved knowledge partnerships, open-source tools and advisory support for policy and regulatory design. While specific Ethiopia-focused initiatives remain to be formally announced, the political-level commitment establishes a basis for long-term administrative collaboration.

Innovation, skilling and capacity building

The digital public infrastructure track is linked with wider cooperation on innovation, information and communication technologies and skills development. Recent Indian briefings relating to Ethiopia have highlighted plans to offer special short-term courses in emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme.[3] India has also announced a doubling of scholarships offered annually to Ethiopian students under the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).[3]

These measures are designed to build human resource capacity for managing and expanding digital systems in Ethiopia, while also strengthening people-to-people and institutional ties. For public administration, the skilling initiatives provide a pipeline of trained personnel who can support the design, deployment and maintenance of digital public infrastructure.

Clean energy and green development cooperation

Clean energy and sustainable development have been identified as another core area of cooperation within the new strategic framework. In his address to the joint session of the Ethiopian Parliament, Prime Minister Modi underlined that both India and Ethiopia are committed to environmental stewardship and outlined a vision for joint work on renewable energy, green jobs, disaster-resilient infrastructure and biofuels.[2]

“Both our nations believe in caring for Mother Earth. Both believe in giving back to nature. Together, let us work on renewable energy and green jobs. Let us work on disaster resilient infrastructure and bio-fuels.”[2]

Energy and climate-related cooperation had already been referenced in the decision to elevate ties to a Strategic Partnership, with clean energy listed among the sectors expected to benefit from enhanced collaboration and investment.[3]

Potential areas of clean energy engagement

While specific project announcements are awaited, the thematic focus suggests several possible tracks for cooperation:

• Technical assistance and capacity building on renewable energy integration, including solar and wind power
• Collaboration on grid resilience, disaster-resilient infrastructure and climate-adaptive planning
• Support for skills and employment generation in green sectors, framed as “green jobs”
• Exploration of biofuel value chains, including feedstock options, processing technologies and sustainability standards

India’s experience with large-scale renewable energy deployment, international solar initiatives and climate-resilient infrastructure programmes provides a potential knowledge base for joint work. From Ethiopia’s perspective, such engagement can support efforts to diversify energy sources, enhance energy access and strengthen resilience to climate-related shocks.

At the multilateral level, India has indicated its willingness to support Ethiopia in amplifying the voice of the Global South in climate negotiations, including in the lead-up to COP-32 in 2027.[2] This adds a diplomatic dimension to the clean energy partnership, linking domestic transitions with global climate governance.

Administrative implementation and governance mechanisms

The health security, digital public infrastructure and clean energy priorities outlined in the talks are expected to be advanced through existing and emerging institutional mechanisms between the two countries.

India and Ethiopia already maintain structured platforms such as Joint Trade Committees and regular ministerial dialogues, which can be used to monitor sectoral initiatives and address implementation challenges.[1] In addition, new working groups or task forces may be constituted in specific domains such as health, digital governance and energy, though such arrangements have not yet been publicly detailed.

Implementation is also likely to leverage India’s established development cooperation instruments, including:

• The ITEC programme for short-term technical courses and capacity building in areas like digital technologies, health systems and energy management
• Scholarship schemes such as ICCR for higher education and specialised training
• Lines of credit and development projects, where relevant, in sectors such as power, connectivity and social infrastructure

On the Ethiopian side, relevant ministries and agencies in health, ICT, energy, finance and planning will play a central role in aligning bilateral offers with national development strategies and regulatory frameworks. Coordination between central and regional administrations will also be important for on-ground execution, especially in health and energy projects that target rural or remote areas.

Economic and public impact

The cooperation agenda outlined in the talks has implications not only for bilateral relations but also for citizens and enterprises in both countries.

In the health sector, expanded collaboration on digital health, traditional medicine and affordable medicines can support Ethiopia’s efforts to strengthen primary healthcare, improve access to services and reduce costs for households. For India, it reinforces its role as a provider of health solutions and could open new opportunities for Indian pharmaceutical manufacturers, health technology firms and training institutions.

Digital public infrastructure cooperation is expected to have broader cross-cutting impacts by enabling more efficient delivery of public services, enhancing financial inclusion and supporting innovation ecosystems. For Ethiopian citizens, DPI-linked reforms can translate into easier access to government schemes, digital payments and essential services. For Indian stakeholders, it offers a platform to share technical models, participate in capacity building and, where appropriate, engage in technology partnerships.

Clean energy cooperation has the potential to contribute to more reliable and sustainable energy supplies, expanded green employment and strengthened resilience to climate and disaster risks in Ethiopia. Indian companies active in renewable energy and related services may find opportunities for investment or joint ventures, building on the existing portfolio of more than USD 5 billion of Indian investment in the Ethiopian economy.[2]

From a governance standpoint, the emphasis on health security, digital infrastructure and clean energy reflects an increasing convergence between India and Ethiopia on development priorities grounded in technology, sustainability and inclusion. The two countries have also reaffirmed their intention to work together in multilateral forums to promote an equitable, rules-based international order and to advance the concerns of the Global South.[1]

Linkages with wider India–Africa and Global South engagement

The latest India–Ethiopia talks and the outlined cooperation agenda fit into a broader pattern of India’s engagement with African countries and with the Global South more generally. India has consistently cited Africa’s development as a priority and has expanded its trade, investment, capacity building and development assistance footprint across the continent.

The decision to welcome the African Union as a permanent member of the G20 during India’s G20 Presidency in 2023 was referenced in briefings on the India–Ethiopia relationship as an example of this orientation.[1] Ethiopia, as a significant African economy and a key partner for India, is expected to play an important role in these broader initiatives.

In his address to the Ethiopian Parliament, Prime Minister Modi described India and Ethiopia as “natural partners in regional peace, security and connectivity”, and emphasised that the Strategic Partnership would unlock potential in technology, innovation, mining, clean energy and food security, among other areas.[3]

“We will walk together as equals. We will build together as partners. And, we will succeed together as friends.”[3]

The health security, digital public infrastructure and clean energy initiatives now set out in the bilateral talks can be seen as operational expressions of this wider agenda, with concrete sectoral programmes intended to translate political statements into measurable outcomes for citizens.

Next steps

Following the talks, officials from both sides are expected to work on detailed frameworks, project proposals and timelines to operationalise the broad commitments in health, digital public infrastructure and clean energy. Future joint statements, ministerial visits and technical-level meetings are likely to clarify the scale and sequencing of specific initiatives.

Key milestones to watch include the announcement of pilot digital health or DPI projects, formalisation of training modules under ITEC for Ethiopian officials and professionals, identification of flagship renewable energy or green infrastructure collaborations, and any new financing mechanisms for joint projects.

As these programmes take shape, the India–Ethiopia Strategic Partnership will increasingly be defined by how effectively both countries can translate diplomatic intent into practical cooperation that strengthens health systems, modernises governance and accelerates sustainable development.