PM Modi plants sapling at Ethiopian Parliament under ‘Ek Ped, Maa Ke Naam’ initiative
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday planted a sapling at the Ethiopian Parliament in Addis Ababa as part of India’s ‘Ek Ped, Maa Ke Naam’ initiative, underscoring a shared commitment by India and Ethiopia to environmental protection.
PM Modi was joined by his Ethiopian counterpart Abiy Ahmed Ali. Referring to Mahatma Gandhi’s idea of trusteeship, PM Modi said humanity does not own the planet but holds it in trust for future generations. He noted that the spirit behind India’s initiative resonates strongly with Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative.
In a post on X, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the sapling symbolised “two nations, two traditions, and one shared promise to honour Mother Earth and build a greener future.”
Earlier in the day, PM Modi addressed a joint session of the Ethiopian Parliament, calling the occasion a great honour and privilege during his first bilateral visit to the African nation. He conveyed greetings from the people of India and highlighted the shared civilisational values of India and Ethiopia, describing the two countries as natural partners.
Drawing parallels between the two nations’ constitutions, PM Modi said both place people at the centre of national destiny. “India’s Constitution begins with ‘We, the People of India’, while Ethiopia’s Constitution begins with ‘We, the Nations, Nationalities and Peoples of Ethiopia’. The message is the same: our destiny is in our hands,” he said.
The Prime Minister highlighted the growing India-Africa partnership, noting that over the past 11 years, more than 100 visits at the level of Heads of State and Government have taken place. He recalled the contribution of thousands of Indian teachers to Ethiopia’s development, saying they partnered in nation-building and “entered Ethiopian hearts.”
PM Modi also spoke about India’s role as a trusted development partner, citing cooperation in digital public infrastructure, healthcare and education. Recalling the COVID-19 pandemic, he said India supplied medicines and vaccines to more than 150 countries and described it as a “proud privilege” to provide Ethiopia with over four million vaccine doses.
Earlier, PM Modi paid tribute at the Adwa Victory Monument, laying a wreath to honour Ethiopia’s enduring spirit of resistance and sovereignty. He also visited the Adwa Museum, where officials briefed him on the country’s history and struggle for self-determination.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with Ethiopia, guided by shared values, mutual trust and a common vision for peace, development and cooperation.
During the visit, PM Modi was also conferred Ethiopia’s highest civilian honour, the ‘Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia’, for his contribution to strengthening bilateral ties.
PM Modi arrived in Ethiopia on Tuesday at the invitation of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, marking a significant leg of his official visit and highlighting the growing strategic importance of India-Ethiopia relations.
(With agency inputs)
