India has consistently backed the entry of developing nations and ‘Least Developed Countries’ into the World Trade Organization (WTO). Recently, India signed a bilateral accession protocol in Geneva in the context of Ethiopia’s WTO accession. The protocol was inked by India’s Ambassador to the WTO, Dr. Senthil Pandian C., and Ethiopia’s Ambassador to the United Nations Office in Geneva, Tsegab Kebebew Daka.
After the signing, the Protocol and its annexes were officially submitted to the WTO Secretariat, as confirmed by the Commerce Ministry. Ethiopia’s progress in economic and trade policy reforms through the WTO accession is anticipated to create new avenues for trade, investment, and business partnerships between India and Ethiopia. The agreement was expedited and finalized under the supervision of Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal.
To join the WTO, countries like Ethiopia must harmonize their domestic economic and trade policies with WTO regulations and negotiate market access commitments with existing members. Ethiopia is currently in the advanced stages of its accession process, with its Working Party convening for the seventh time on April 22–23, 2026. India acknowledges the importance of integrating these countries into the global economy and multilateral trading system for fostering a more inclusive and equitable global economic landscape.
India stands as Ethiopia’s second-largest trading partner, with Indian firms being prominent foreign investors in Ethiopia. The two nations upgraded their bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Ethiopia in December 2025.
