India and Angola Strengthen Ties: PM Welcomes President Lourenço on Historic Visit.
New Delhi:
In a landmark moment for India-Angola relations, Prime Minister warmly welcomed Angolan President João Lourenço and his delegation to India during a joint press statement held in New Delhi. This visit marks the first by an Angolan head of state in 38 years and comes at a time when both nations are celebrating 40 years of diplomatic relations.
Terming the occasion as “historic,” the Prime Minister emphasized the deep-rooted ties between India and Angola, recalling India’s steadfast support during Angola’s struggle for independence.
“His visit is not only giving a new direction and momentum to India-Angola ties, but also strengthening India-Africa partnership,” the Prime Minister said.
Expanding Strategic and Economic Cooperation
The Prime Minister highlighted the robust energy partnership between the two countries, with India being one of the largest importers of Angolan oil and gas. He announced a $200 million defence credit line to aid in the modernization of Angola’s armed forces and expressed India’s willingness to cooperate in areas such as defence platform maintenance and personnel training.
In a bid to deepen development cooperation, India will share its expertise in digital public infrastructure, space technology, and capacity building. Both nations agreed to further collaborate in the fields of healthcare, diamond processing, fertilizers, and critical minerals.
The Prime Minister noted the popularity of Indian culture in Angola, particularly yoga and Bollywood, which underscores the strong people-to-people ties. A Youth Exchange Programme will soon be launched to strengthen cultural engagement among the youth.
Angola Joins Indian-Led Global Initiatives
India welcomed Angola’s decision to join the International Solar Alliance. In addition, Angola has been invited to become part of several Indian-led global initiatives including the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, Big Cat Alliance, and Global Biofuels Alliance.
United Against Terrorism
The Prime Minister also thanked President Lourenço and the people of Angola for their condolences following the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, affirming that both nations are committed to a strong stance against terrorism and its supporters. “We thank Angola for their support in our fight against cross-border terrorism,” he stated.
India-Africa Partnership: A Shared Vision for the Global South
Recognizing Angola’s leadership as the current chair of the African Union, the Prime Minister extended his best wishes on behalf of 1.4 billion Indians. He praised the historic inclusion of the African Union in the G20 under India’s presidency, calling it a milestone for the Global South.
Over the past decade, India’s engagement with Africa has grown significantly. Bilateral trade has reached nearly $100 billion, and cooperation in defence and maritime security has expanded. The Prime Minister noted the successful completion of the first India-Africa naval maritime exercise, “AIKEYME,” last month.
India has also established 17 new embassies in Africa, extended over $12 billion in credit lines, and provided $700 million in grant assistance. Vocational training centres have been opened in eight African nations, and digital infrastructure partnerships have been initiated with five others.
“In times of disaster, we have been privileged to serve as ‘First Responders’, standing shoulder to shoulder with the people of Africa,” said the Prime Minister, reaffirming India’s commitment as a trusted partner in progress.
A Shared Future
Concluding his remarks, the Prime Minister expressed optimism that under Angola’s leadership, India’s relationship with the African Union would reach new heights. “India and the African Union are partners in progress. We are pillars of the Global South,” he said.
President Lourenço’s visit is expected to open new avenues for cooperation and reaffirm the strategic bond between India and the African continent.
