Ethiopian delegation meets Jitendra Singh, expresses solidarity, lasting cooperation with India

During their stay here, the members of the delegation will undertake a week-long training programme at the National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG).

Organised by NCGG under the aegis of the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Division of the Ministry of External Affairs, the Capacity Building Programme is tailored for senior Ethiopian policymakers and governance leaders.

It aims to equip them with strategic insights, best practices, and actionable knowledge for effective policy formulation and governance in a dynamic global landscape.

Jitendra Singh commended the unwavering expression of solidarity shown by the Ethiopian delegation towards India, despite the prevailing situation in the northwestern part of the country.

He lauded the Governors and senior officials for their commitment and active participation in the capacity-building programme, recognizing their dedication to fostering stronger bilateral ties and promoting shared values of good governance and cooperation.

He recalled the recent meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed during the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg in August 2023, emphasizing growing bilateral cooperation in areas such as development partnership, ICT, agriculture, youth skilling, and people-to-people exchanges.

Highlighting the historical depth of Indo-Ethiopian ties, Singh stated that India was among the first nations to establish a diplomatic mission in Ethiopia post-Independence.

Vishwa Bandhu

He underscored Prime Minister Modi’s vision of “Vishwa Bandhu” (Friend of the World), reiterating India’s commitment to inclusivity and mutual development.

"With the liberalization of the Ethiopian economy, India and Ethiopia have seen remarkable growth in trade and investment ties, especially in sectors like manufacturing, agriculture, infrastructure, and ICT," he added.

Singh informed that over 650 Indian companies have invested in Ethiopia, with a cumulative licensed investment of over USD 5 billion, making Indian investors the second-largest foreign employers in the country.

The Minister also shared that a 50-member Ethiopian parliamentary delegation participated in a capacity-building programme at PRIDE (Parliamentary Research & Training Institute for Democracies) in February 2024, reinforcing institutional linkages between both democracies.

Jitendra Singh showcased some of India's globally admired governance and technology-driven reforms, highlighting how digital tools have revolutionized public service delivery.

He spoke about CPGRAMS, an AI-enabled grievance redressal system that resolves nearly 95% of complaints within a week and features integrated human feedback mechanisms to ensure citizen satisfaction.

The SWAMITVA scheme, another flagship initiative, uses drone and satellite technology to generate accurate digital land records, enhancing transparency and efficiency in rural land ownership.

DBT

The Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system was cited as a powerful tool to eliminate leakages and ensure that public funds reach intended beneficiaries directly.

He also highlighted the Digital Life Certificate (DLC) initiative, which allows senior citizens to submit their life certificates remotely using facial recognition technology, and the iGOTKarmayogi platform, an online learning ecosystem enabling continuous capacity building for civil servants.

Emphasizing the transformative role of innovation, Dr. Singh said, “Technology has been the great enabler of India’s governance revolution. We are proud to share our experiences with our Ethiopian friends and support them in their own journey of reform.

Ambassador Molalign Asfaw, Deputy Head of Ethiopian Mission to India, and Zahra Humed Ali, Deputy Speaker of the House of Federation of Ethiopia, led the delegation and expressed deep appreciation for India's hospitality, institutional knowledge, and commitment to capacity building.

Several delegates shared their enriching experiences from the training sessions and praised India’s grassroots governance models and inclusive development approach.