India, Ethiopia sign bilateral accession protocol for Addis Ababa's WTO membership in Geneva
Geneva, May 23
India and Ethiopia signed the bilateral accession protocol in the context of Ethiopia's accession to the World Trade Organization on Friday in Geneva, where the signing ceremony took place.
The protocol was signed by Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Republic of India to the WTO, Senthil Pandian C., on behalf of India, and Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to the United Nations Office and Other International Organisations in Geneva, Tsegab Kebebew Daka, on behalf of Ethiopia.
Following the signing, the Protocol and its annexes were formally handed over and deposited with the WTO Secretariat.
India has consistently supported the accession of developing countries and Least Developed Countries to the WTO, recognising that their fuller integration into the multilateral trading system and global value chains is essential for building a more inclusive and balanced global economy.
The agreement was fast-tracked and concluded under the guidance of Union Minister of Commerce and industry, Piyush Goyal.
India and Ethiopia share deep and enduring people-to-people and civilisational ties.
India is Ethiopia's second-largest trading partner, and Indian companies are among the leading foreign investors in Ethiopia.
Bilateral relations between the two countries were elevated to a Strategic Partnership during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Ethiopia in December 2025.
The WTO accession process requires aligning domestic economic and trade policies with WTO rules and negotiating market access commitments with existing members.
Ethiopia is currently at an advanced stage of its accession process, with its Working Party having met for the seventh time on April 22-23.
As Ethiopia advances economic and trade policy reforms through the WTO accession process, new opportunities are expected to emerge for enhanced trade, investment, and business collaboration between India and Ethiopia.
— ANI
Reader Comments
This is good for India's Africa outreach. Ethiopia is a key market for our pharma and textiles. But I hope the WTO process doesn't force Ethiopia to open up sectors where they're not ready - we should support developing countries on their own terms, not just push Western trade agenda. Still, positive step overall.
Interesting development. India's role as a bridge between developing nations and global trade bodies is commendable. Ethiopia's strategic position in the Horn of Africa makes this partnership valuable. Though I wonder about the pace of reforms - fast-tracking like this can sometimes overlook local challenges. Hope both countries benefit equally.
As someone who has worked in trade policy, this is a smart move. Ethiopia's economy is growing fast, and Indian companies in agriculture and infrastructure will have more legal protections under WTO. Remember, PM Modi visited Addis in 2025 - these ties are deepening. Arre, ab to trade badhega hi! 🚀
Good to see India supporting fellow developing nations. The bilateral protocol is a technical step but shows real commitment. However, I'm slightly concerned about transparency - these WTO accession talks can get very complex for smaller economies. Indian negotiators should ensure Ethiopia's farmers and small businesses aren't left behind in the deal.
Bharat and Ethiopia have centuries-old ties - from the ancient trade routes to now. This protocol is a logical next step. Our private sector is already active there (hello, Indian pharma companies!). WTO membership will make it easier for Ethiopian students studying in India too. Win-win for both! 😊
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