India, Ethiopia hold first joint defence cooperation meeting in New Delhi
New Delhi, October 16. India and Ethiopia have taken a significant step towards strengthening their defence partnership with the convening of the inaugural Joint Defence Cooperation (JDC) meeting in New Delhi on October 15.
The meeting, co-chaired by Joint Secretary (International Cooperation), Ministry of Defence, Amitabh Prasad, and Ethiopia’s Director General for Defence Foreign Relations and Military Cooperation, Maj Gen Teshome Gemechu, reviewed the progress of ongoing defence engagements and explored new areas of collaboration.
Discussions focused on expanding cooperation in training, joint military exercises, medical services, and defence industry linkages. Both sides agreed to intensify efforts to deepen and diversify their defence partnership.
The JDC meeting is part of the institutional framework established under the Defence Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed earlier this year between the Defence Ministers of the two nations. The MoU provides for regular exchanges and strategic dialogue to guide future cooperation.
Ethiopia remains one of India’s long-standing defence partners in Africa, with ties dating back to 1958. The growing engagement was also reflected in the participation of Ethiopia’s Army Chief at the ongoing United Nations Troop Contributing Countries (UNTCC) Chiefs’ Conclave being hosted by India in New Delhi from October 14 to 16, 2025.
India and Ethiopia share a deep historical relationship that spans over two millennia. Diplomatic relations were formally established in 1950, and the two countries now enjoy robust cooperation across trade, education, culture, and development.
The successful holding of the first JDC meeting highlights the growing strategic convergence between India and Ethiopia and reaffirms their commitment to enhancing defence and security cooperation.
The Indian delegation included senior officials from the Department of Defence, the three services, the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff, the Department of Defence Production, and the Defence Research and Development Organisation.
