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India and Ethiopia conducted their inaugural Joint Defense Cooperation (JDC) meeting in New Delhi on Wednesday, signifying a significant step forward in the enduring bilateral defense ties between the two nations.

The gathering was jointly led by Amitabh Prasad, Joint Secretary (International Cooperation) from India’s Ministry of Defense, and Major General Teshome Gemechu, Director General for Defense Foreign Relations and Military Cooperation in Ethiopia.

As per DD News, India’s national public broadcaster, both parties examined current defense collaboration and explored potential new fields for partnership, such as training programs, combined military drills, medical collaboration, and involvement in the defense sector. The groups resolved to “enhance and broaden defense cooperation initiatives,” highlighting a mutual dedication to strengthening the alliance.

The JDC meeting is included in an institutional structure created under the Defense Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which was signed in early 2025 by the Defense Ministers of both nations. The MoU establishes a formal process for ongoing communication and strategic discussion regarding defense issues.

The Broadcaster stated that Ethiopia continues to be one of India’s important defense allies in Africa, with collaborative efforts beginning in 1958. The expanding defense ties were also evident through the involvement of Ethiopia’s Army Chief at the United Nations Troop Contributing Countries (UNTCC) Chiefs’ Conclave held in New Delhi from October 14 to 16, 2025.

In March 2024, Both governments stated that they were in the process of finalizing a defense collaboration.deal – postponed until following India’s national elections – seeks to enhance Ethiopia’s military capabilities via instruction and monetary assistance.

The Ethiopian envoy in India, Demeke Atnafu, mentioned at that time that the deal was “a continuation of long-standing military cooperation,” highlighting India’s assistance in setting up the Harar Military Academy during the 1950s and later training programs.

The effort corresponds with India’s wider plan to increase defense collaboration throughout Africa, boosting regional security and strengthening mutual relations. Along with defense partnerships, the two nations are also looking into collaborations in digital infrastructure, including possible cooperation under Ethiopia’sDigital Ethiopia 2025scheme leveraging India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) technology.

Last week, Ethiopia and Pakistan have achieved aan identical pact to strengthen collaboration in defense and aerospaceas part of initiatives aimed at enhancing their mutual relationships.

The deal was finalized on Monday, 6 October 2025, following a discussion between Jemal Beker Abdula, Ethiopia’s Special Representative and Ambassador Extraordinary to Pakistan, and Khawaja Asif, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Defense.

As per the Embassy, the talks centered on enhancing bilateral and multilateral collaboration across various fields such as peace and security, defense, aviation, climate change, trade and investment, culture, and tourism.

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Tagged: Ethiopia, East Africa

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