India and Ethiopia signed a bilateral accession protocol in Geneva, supporting Ethiopia’s ongoing accession process to the World Trade Organization (WTO). The agreement marks another important step in strengthening economic and trade cooperation between the two nations.
The protocol was signed by India’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the WTO, Dr. Senthil Pandian C., and Ethiopia’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office and other international organisations in Geneva, Tsegab Kebebew Daka. Following the signing ceremony, the protocol and related documents were formally deposited with the WTO Secretariat.
India reiterated its long-standing support for the inclusion of developing and least developed countries into the global trading system through the WTO accession process. Officials stated that integrating such economies into global value chains is essential for creating a more balanced and inclusive international economy. The agreement was reportedly fast-tracked under the guidance of Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.
India and Ethiopia share strong diplomatic, economic, and people-to-people ties. India is currently Ethiopia’s second-largest trading partner, while Indian companies remain among the leading foreign investors in the African nation. Bilateral relations were elevated to a Strategic Partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Ethiopia in December 2025.
Ethiopia is currently at an advanced stage in its WTO accession process, which involves aligning domestic trade and economic policies with WTO rules and negotiating market access commitments with member countries.
Officials believe Ethiopia’s ongoing economic reforms and WTO integration could create fresh opportunities for trade, investment, and business collaboration between India and Ethiopia in the coming years.
