The second Joint Defence Cooperation meeting between India and Ethiopia was held today, September 28, 2026, in Addis Ababa. The two countries discussed areas of mutual interest in the fields of military training, military exercise, medical cooperation, peacekeeping and defence industries. Both sides agreed to expand and deepen defence cooperation activities through exchange of personnel from training institutes, exploring avenues for joint ventures in defence production, delegation visits and experience sharing interactions.

This visit marks a pivotal step in India-Ethiopia defence relations and reinforces both side’s commitment to work together. It is also part of the institutional mechanism set up through signing of the Defence Cooperation MoU in February 2025 by the Defence Ministers of both the countries. The 1^st JDC was held in New Delhi in October 2025. 

The meeting was co-chaired by Shri Sanjay Kumar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Defence and Major General Teshome Gemechu, Director General for Defence Foreign Relations & Military Cooperation, Ethiopia. The Indian delegation comprised officers from the Department of Defence and Air Headquarters. Shri Devesh Uttam, Ambassador of India to Ethiopia, also participated in the meeting. 

Ethiopia is an important defence partner of India and the partnership started way back in 1958. During the visit of Prime Minister of India to Ethiopia in December 2025, the bilateral relationship between the two countries was elevated to the level of ‘Strategic Partnership’. 

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SR/NJ