‘Deeply moving moment’: Ethiopia sings Vande Mataram, Modi joins in clapping | WATCH
Addis Ababa: Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a video from a banquet dinner hosted by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali in Addis Ababa, where a group of local singers performed India’s national song, Vande Mataram. The event took place on Tuesday as part of Modi’s official visit to Ethiopia.
In a post on X, Modi said the performance was particularly meaningful as India marks 150 years since the composition of Vande Mataram. The video showed him applauding the singers after the performance concluded.
The banquet was part of a ceremonial welcome accorded to the Indian Prime Minister on his arrival in Ethiopia, a visit that highlights growing diplomatic engagement between the two countries. Modi is in Ethiopia at the invitation of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, and the trip forms an important leg of India’s outreach to Africa.
Following his arrival at Addis Ababa airport, Modi participated in a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony alongside Abiy Ahmed. According to official sources, the Ethiopian Prime Minister personally drove Modi from the airport to his hotel, during which he showed him local landmarks including the Science Museum and Friendship Park, a deviation from the planned itinerary.
Members of the Indian community in Ethiopia gathered outside the hotel to welcome Modi, waving Indian flags and chanting slogans. Modi briefly interacted with members of the diaspora, posed for photographs and attended cultural performances organised at the venue.
As part of the reception, artists also performed the Hindi song Dharti Sunehra Ambar Neela from the Bollywood film Veer Zaara. The visit is expected to focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation in areas including trade, development partnerships and regional engagement.
The Ethiopian stop underscores India’s broader diplomatic push in Africa, even as symbolic cultural moments during such visits continue to draw public attention alongside official engagements.
(With IANS inputs)