The Ministry of Defence announced that India and Ethiopia held their second Joint Defence Cooperation (JDC) meeting on 28 September 2026 in Addis Ababa. The two nations discussed ways to strengthen their defence ties across multiple areas including military training, joint exercises, medical cooperation, peacekeeping operations and defence industry collaboration.
Both countries agreed to deepen their defence partnership by exchanging personnel from military training institutes, exploring joint ventures in defence manufacturing, organising delegation visits and sharing experiences and expertise. The meeting was held under the Defence Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the Defence Ministers of both countries in February 2025.
Key facts
- Second JDC meeting held on 28 September 2026 in Addis Ababa
- First JDC meeting was held in New Delhi in October 2025
- Defence Cooperation MoU signed in February 2025
- Meeting co-chaired by Shri Sanjay Kumar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Defence (India) and Major General Teshome Gemechu, Director General for Defence Foreign Relations & Military Cooperation (Ethiopia)
- Indian delegation included officers from the Department of Defence and Air Headquarters, and India’s Ambassador to Ethiopia
- India-Ethiopia defence relationship dates back to 1958
- Bilateral relationship elevated to ‘Strategic Partnership’ during Prime Minister’s visit to Ethiopia in December 2025
What was discussed
The two countries identified several areas where they can work together more closely. Military training cooperation will allow both nations’ armed forces to learn from each other’s practices and expertise. Joint military exercises will enable them to conduct coordinated training operations. Medical cooperation could involve sharing healthcare resources and knowledge between defence establishments. Peacekeeping is an area where both countries have experience and interest, particularly given India’s long history of UN peacekeeping missions and Ethiopia’s role in African peace operations. Defence industries cooperation could lead to joint production of military equipment and technology sharing.
The institutional framework
This second JDC meeting operates within a formal institutional structure created by the Defence Cooperation MoU signed in February 2025. The JDC serves as the main platform for India and Ethiopia to review their defence relationship, plan new initiatives and resolve any issues that may arise. By holding regular JDC meetings, the two countries ensure continuity and momentum in their defence engagement. The first meeting in New Delhi in October 2025 had set the direction for the partnership, and this second meeting in Addis Ababa demonstrates both nations’ commitment to following through on those commitments.
Deepening a historic partnership
The India-Ethiopia defence relationship has foundations going back to 1958, making it one of India’s oldest partnerships in Africa. The relationship has evolved significantly in recent years. In December 2025, when the Prime Minister of India visited Ethiopia, the two countries formally elevated their bilateral relationship to the status of ‘Strategic Partnership’. This designation reflects the growing importance both nations place on their ties and signals their intent to cooperate on matters of mutual strategic interest beyond just defence.
Significance for the region
Ethiopia holds strategic importance for India in East Africa and the Horn of Africa region. As the seat of the African Union, Ethiopia plays a central role in continental African affairs. Strengthening defence ties with Ethiopia enhances India’s engagement with the African continent and provides opportunities for India to support regional stability and peacekeeping efforts. For Ethiopia, deepening defence cooperation with India provides access to military expertise, training resources and potential industrial partnerships.
What this means for you
If you are a defence professional, engineer or student interested in military technology and international cooperation, this announcement signals expanding opportunities for India-Ethiopia collaboration in defence sectors. Military personnel may find more opportunities for training and exchange programmes. Students pursuing defence studies or engineering may see new bilateral research and educational initiatives emerge from this partnership. For citizens interested in India’s foreign policy in Africa, this reflects India’s strategy to build deeper, more institutionalised relationships with key African nations beyond just diplomatic engagement.