Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday drew a powerful civilisational parallel between India and Ethiopia, noting that both nations revere their land as a mother, as reflected in India’s national song Vande Mataram and Ethiopia’s national anthem, March Forward, Dear Mother Ethiopia.
Addressing a Joint Session of Ethiopia’s Parliament in Addis Ababa, the Prime Minister said that this shared symbolism highlights the deep emotional and cultural connection both societies have with their motherland. He linked this sentiment to India’s guiding philosophy of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayaas,” emphasising collective growth, trust and shared responsibility.
PM Modi said that both national anthems inspire pride in heritage, culture and the responsibility to protect the land. He also recalled Ethiopia’s significance in human history, referring to the discovery of early human ancestors such as Lucy, known locally as Dinkinesh, and said that humanity’s shared origins underline a shared destiny.
Citing the Indian philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, meaning “the world is one family,” the Prime Minister said that beyond borders and politics, nations share common roots and aspirations. He added that if humanity’s beginning was shared, its future must also be built together.
Welcoming the Prime Minister, Ethiopian lawmakers marked the occasion as historic, with PM Modi becoming the 18th world leader to address the Ethiopian Parliament. He described Ethiopia as the land of lions and said he felt at home, drawing a connection to his home state of Gujarat, which is also known for its lions.
The Prime Minister expressed gratitude for the warmth extended to him and said it was a privilege to address Ethiopia’s Parliament, calling it a temple of democracy rooted in ancient wisdom and modern aspirations. On behalf of the people of India, he conveyed friendship, goodwill and brotherhood to the people of Ethiopia.
PM Modi also thanked Ethiopia for conferring on him the country’s highest civilian honour, the Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia, saying he accepted it with humility on behalf of 1.4 billion Indians. He praised Ethiopia as one of the world’s oldest civilisations, where history lives on through its land, culture and people.
