India-Africa Partnership: President Murmu’s Visit to Angola

India-Africa Partnership: In a landmark diplomatic engagement, President Droupadi Murmu underscored India’s unwavering commitment to peace, stability, and development in Africa during bilateral talks with Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço. Her visit — the first-ever by an Indian head of state to Angola — marks a historic step in strengthening India’s partnership with the Southern African nation and the broader African continent.

Speaking during her discussions in Luanda, President Murmu praised Angola’s leadership role in promoting regional peace. “India appreciates your efforts to promote peace, security, and stability in Africa. India has always advocated for dialogue and peaceful resolution of conflicts,” she said, reaffirming New Delhi’s dedication to constructive diplomacy and mutual respect.

The two leaders highlighted shared priorities in international cooperation, with both nations aligning on key global issues. “India and Angola support each other in various international forums, including the United Nations,” President Murmu added, emphasizing the countries’ mutual trust and shared values on global governance.

India-Africa Partnership: Call for Multilateral Reform

A significant aspect of the talks was India’s call for reform in multilateral institutions, particularly the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). “We both agree that reform of the UN Security Council is essential to make it more effective. We look forward to Angola’s continued support in our efforts in this direction,” President Murmu said.

This statement underscored the growing alignment between India and African nations on restructuring international institutions to better represent the Global South — a shared goal rooted in fairness, inclusivity, and collective progress.

Deepening Strategic and Economic Partnerships

President Murmu’s state visit builds on the momentum generated by Angolan President Lourenço’s visit to New Delhi earlier this year, during which India approved a USD 200 million Line of Credit for the modernization of Angola’s defence forces. This move signified India’s commitment to supporting Angola’s capacity-building initiatives and its broader security cooperation across Africa.

According to Sudhakar Dalela, Secretary (Economic Relations) at India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the visit reflects India’s multidimensional engagement with Africa — encompassing political, economic, developmental, and cultural cooperation.

During the visit, discussions also included wildlife conservation initiatives, such as translocating cheetahs from Botswana under Project Cheetah, symbolizing India’s approach of linking ecological cooperation with strategic diplomacy.

India-Africa Partnership: A Celebration of Shared History and Cultural Connection

As part of her official engagements, President Droupadi Murmu will attend Angola’s 50th Independence Day celebrations on November 11. She is also scheduled to address the Angolan Parliament and meet members of the Indian community in Luanda, reflecting the people-centric nature of India’s foreign policy.

The visit is expected to open new doors for cooperation in healthcare, space technology, and digital public infrastructure — areas where India’s expertise aligns with Angola’s developmental priorities. Collaboration under global frameworks such as the International Solar Alliance, Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, Global Biofuel Alliance, and International Big Cat Alliance further illustrate the multi-dimensional character of India-Angola relations.

Expanding Horizons: From Angola to Botswana

Following her engagements in Angola, President Murmu will travel to Botswana from November 11 to 13, at the invitation of President Duma Gideon Boko. This visit — also a first by an Indian head of state — aims to expand cooperation in trade, investment, technology, energy, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals, while deepening people-to-people exchanges between the two nations.

This two-nation tour reaffirms India’s renewed focus on Africa and the Global South, positioning New Delhi as a reliable partner in sustainable growth, digital innovation, and global governance reform.