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The second Joint defence cooperation (JDC) meeting between India and Ethiopia was held in Addis Ababa on September 28, 2026, highlighting the growing depth of bilateral defence relations. The meeting focused on military training, joint exercises, medical cooperation, peacekeeping and opportunities in defence industries.
From an Indian perspective, the significance of the meeting lies in moving defence cooperation beyond high-level dialogue towards more structured institutional engagement. Both sides agreed to expand exchanges between training institutions, explore joint ventures in defence production, organise delegation visits and share operational experiences. Such initiatives can create greater opportunities for capacity building and professional interaction between the two militaries.
The meeting was co-chaired by Sanjay Kumar, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, and Major General Teshome Gemechu, Director General for Defence Foreign Relations and Military Cooperation, Ethiopia. The Indian delegation included officials from the Department of Defence and Air Headquarters, while Devesh Uttam, Ambassador of India to Ethiopia, also participated.
The JDC mechanism was established following the India-Ethiopia Defence Cooperation MoU signed in 2025. The first JDC meeting took place in New Delhi in October 2025, where both countries had already discussed training, exercises, medical cooperation and defence industry engagement.
India-Ethiopia defence cooperation has deeper historical roots, dating back to 1958. The relationship gained further strategic momentum following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Ethiopia in December 2025. In September 2026, Modi and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed also reviewed progress in defence, security and capacity-building cooperation during their meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
The second JDC meeting therefore represents another step in institutionalising India-Ethiopia defence engagement. With training, peacekeeping, medical cooperation and defence production emerging as key areas, the partnership could increasingly combine military cooperation with broader capacity-building objectives.
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