India and Ethiopia hold first Joint Defence Cooperation meeting in New Delhi

India–Ethiopia Hold First Joint Defence Cooperation Meeting in New Delhi 

Context:

India and Ethiopia convened their inaugural Joint Defence Cooperation (JDC) meeting in New Delhi on October 15, 2025, marking a significant step forward in institutionalizing bilateral defence ties under the Defence Cooperation MoU signed earlier in 2025.

Key Highlights:

1. Institutional Milestone:
   • The first JDC meeting symbolizes the operationalization of the Defence Cooperation MoU, providing a formal framework for strategic dialogue, capacity building, and technology cooperation between India and Ethiopia.
   • It marks the beginning of structured defence consultations in line with India’s broader engagement strategy with Africa.
2. Leadership and Representation:
   • The meeting was co-chaired by Amitabh Prasad, Joint Secretary (International Cooperation), Ministry of Defence, and Maj. Gen. Teshome Gemechu, Director General for Defence Foreign Relations and Military Cooperation, Ethiopia.
   • The Indian side included representatives from the Department of Defence, the three Services (Army, Navy, Air Force), HQ IDS, Department of Defence Production (DDP), and DRDO.
3. Areas of Cooperation:
   • Review of ongoing defence collaborationand identification of new areas such as:
     • Military training and capacity building
     • Joint exercises and exchange programs
     • Medical cooperation and defence health services
     • Defence industrial partnerships and R&D collaboration
4. Strategic and Regional Context:
   • Ethiopia is one of India’s oldest defence partners in Africa, with cooperation beginning in 1958 when India assisted in training Ethiopian defence personnel.
   • The meeting aligns with India’s “Defence Diplomacy in Africa” initiative, aimed at fostering strategic stability, capacity enhancement, and maritime security under the India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) framework.
5. Recent High-Level Engagements:
   • Ethiopia’s Army Chief participated in the United Nations Troop Contributing Countries (UNTCC) Chiefs’ Conclave, hosted by India from October 14–16, 2025.
   • This reflects Ethiopia’s recognition of India’s leadership in UN peacekeeping and mutual interest in strengthening multilateral defence cooperation.
6. Historical and Diplomatic Ties:
   • India and Ethiopia share civilizational links spanning over 2,000 years and established formal diplomatic relations in 1950.
   • Cooperation extends across sectors such as trade, culture, education, development partnerships, and capacity building under South–South Cooperation principles.
7. Outcome:
   • Both sides agreed to expand defence cooperation across strategic domains and to regularize JDC meetings to monitor progress and design future engagements.
   • The meeting reaffirmed a shared commitment to peace, stability, and self-reliance in defence capabilities.

Static Information:

• Countries Involved: India and Ethiopia
• Meeting Held: October 15, 2025, New Delhi
• Key MoU: Defence Cooperation Memorandum signed in early 2025
• Indian Co-Chair: Amitabh Prasad, Joint Secretary (International Cooperation), MoD
• Ethiopian Co-Chair: Maj. Gen. Teshome Gemechu, DG for Defence Foreign Relations
• Bilateral Relations Established: 1950
• Defence Cooperation Since: 1958
• Broader Framework: India–Africa Defence Cooperation & IAFS initiatives
  
  Updated - 16 Oct 2025 ; 10: 45 PM | DD News