India Reaffirms Support for Developing Countries’ Integration into Global Trading System through WTO Accession Process

India and Ethiopia signed the bilateral accession protocol in the context of Ethiopia’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) on 22 May 2026 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, Dr. 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 Organizations 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, Shri 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 Shri 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 22–23 April 2026.

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.

World Trade Organization accession protocol advances Ethiopia's integration into the multilateral trading system with India's support. India and Ethiopia signed a bilateral accession protocol in Geneva in connection with Ethiopia's accession to the World Trade Organization, and the protocol and annexes were deposited with the WTO Secretariat. The release states that the accession process involves aligning domestic economic and trade policies with WTO rules and negotiating market-access commitments with existing members. Ethiopia was described as being at an advanced stage of accession, with its Working Party having met for the seventh time in April 2026.