Geneva, May 23, 2026 — India and Ethiopia signed a bilateral accession protocol related to Ethiopia’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) at a ceremony in Geneva on Friday.
The protocol was signed by Senthil Pandian C., Ambassador and Permanent Representative of India to the WTO, on behalf of India, and Tsegab Kebebew Daka, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Ethiopia to the United Nations Office and other international organisations in Geneva, 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 backed the accession of developing countries and least-developed countries to the WTO, saying fuller integration into the multilateral trading system and global value chains is essential for a more inclusive global economy. The agreement was expedited under the guidance of Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal.
India and Ethiopia share longstanding people-to-people and civilisational ties. India is Ethiopia’s second-largest trading partner, and Indian firms are among the leading foreign investors in the country. Bilateral relations were elevated to a Strategic Partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Ethiopia in December 2025.
Ethiopia is at an advanced stage in the WTO accession process; its Working Party met for a seventh time on April 22–23. The accession requires alignment of domestic economic and trade policies with WTO rules and negotiation of market access commitments with existing members.
As Ethiopia advances reforms through the accession process, officials expect new opportunities for enhanced trade, investment and business collaboration between India and Ethiopia. (Source: ANI)
