President Droupadi Murmu today held wide-ranging bilateral discussions with President João Lourenço of Angola in Luanda. The two nations also exchanged MoUs to enhance cooperation in the areas of fisheries, aquaculture, marine resources, and consular matters. President Murmu welcomed Angola’s decision to join the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) and the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA).
President Murmu reiterated India’s commitment to being a reliable partner in Angola’s development journey, bilaterally as well as in the broader framework of the India-Africa Forum Summit.
The two leaders agreed to continue working together to deepen the cooperation, including in energy partnership, infrastructure, defence, health, agriculture, and digital technologies.
Angolan President João Lourenço mentioned that two high level visits between Angola and India within just six months, shows how both countries value their growing relationship. President Lourenço had visited New Delhi in May this year. He identified that collaboration with India in health, aerospace and defence sectors could be highly beneficial to Angola.
President of Angola said that he is particularly interested in collaboration with India in the health sector. He praised the quality of Indian doctors and expressed a wish to train
more Angolan students at the graduate and postgraduate level.
President Lourenço singled out the case of cancer, saying that Angolans still have to travel abroad for treatment; he added that the new oncology hospital in Angola could benefit from India’s equipment and training. On aerospace, he noted that India has advanced science in this field and that Angola would like to work closely on this. He also acknowledged India’s advances in the field of defence systems including drones and expressed willingness to
work with India – not just by importing equipment but also by bringing Indian factories to Angolan territory.
Earlier today, President Droupadi Murmu was accorded a Ceremonial Welcome and Guard of Honour on her arrival at the Presidential Palace. President Laurenço also hosted a Banquet Lunch for President Murmu at the end of the meetings.
President Murmu is on a visit to Angola and Botswana from 8 to 13 November. In Angola, she will be attending the 50th anniversary celebrations of Angola’s independence on Tuesday. She will also address the National Assembly and interact with the members of the Indian community of Angola. She will proceed to Botswana on 11th November on the second leg of her tour.
This is the first visit by an Indian Head of State to the two African countries. President Murmu is accompanied by Minister of State for Jal Shakti and Railways, V. Somanna and Members of Parliament Parbhubhai Nagarbhai Vasava and D. K. Aruna as also the senior officials.
