In a significant diplomatic engagement aimed at bolstering bilateral and continental relations, External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar met with Angolan President Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenço on Saturday during the latter’s ongoing State Visit to India. The high-level meeting, held in New Delhi, is poised to inject renewed momentum into India-Angola cooperation and deepen India’s strategic engagement with the African continent.
Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), EAM Jaishankar expressed his honor by calling on the Angolan President and conveyed appreciation for President Lourenço’s “warm sentiments for India and guidance for taking forward our partnership.” He added, “Confident that his talks with PM @narendramodi later today will chart new avenues of growth for India-Angola & India-Africa ties.”
A Grand Welcome and Symbolic Gestures
President Lourenço received a ceremonial welcome at the historic forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan earlier in the day. The grand reception included a 21-gun salute and a Guard of Honour, underscoring the importance India places on its ties with Angola. The ceremony was attended by President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, EAM Jaishankar, and other senior Indian officials.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, described the occasion on X as a “special welcome for a Global South partner,” highlighting India’s commitment to South-South cooperation. President Lourenço also paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi by laying a wreath at his memorial in Rajghat, an act rich in symbolism given Gandhi’s legacy of peace and nonviolence. He also signed the visitors’ book at the site, reflecting on Gandhi’s enduring global influence.
Diplomatic Milestones and Shared Aspirations
Lourenço’s visit marks a milestone in India-Angola relations, coming as both nations celebrate 40 years of formal diplomatic ties. Angola, a resource-rich nation in southwestern Africa, has emerged as an important partner for India in energy, defence, and capacity-building cooperation. This visit comes months after EAM Jaishankar met Angolan Foreign Minister Tete Antonio in Kampala on the sidelines of the NAM Ministerial Meeting in January 2024, laying the groundwork for more strategic collaboration. Notably, Angola holds the Chair of the African Union for 2025, further elevating the geopolitical significance of this engagement.
India Announces USD 200 Million Defence Credit Line
In a landmark move, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a USD 200 million defence credit line to Angola following his wide-ranging talks with President Lourenço. The credit line is aimed at supporting the modernization of Angola’s defence forces, including projects involving the supply, repair, and overhaul of military platforms.
“This visit not only gives a new direction to the bilateral relations but also strengthens the India-Africa partnership,” PM Modi stated during a joint media briefing. He reaffirmed India’s commitment to act “firmly and decisively against terrorism and their backers,” an assertion made in the backdrop of the recent Pahalgam terror attack.
Expanding Horizons: From Space to Traditional Medicine
The two leaders discussed expanding cooperation beyond defence to include digital public infrastructure, space technology, traditional medicine, healthcare, agriculture, and critical minerals. Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in traditional medicine, agriculture, and cultural cooperation are expected to be signed during Lourenço’s stay. India’s offer to share its digital infrastructure expertise with Angola is especially noteworthy, aligning with New Delhi’s broader push to support digital transformation across the Global South.
Historical Context and Future Pathways
This isn’t the first high-level interaction between the two nations. In October 2015, Angola’s then Vice President Manuel Vicente attended the 3rd India-Africa Summit in New Delhi. President Lourenço himself met PM Modi on July 26, 2018, in Johannesburg during the BRICS Summit. The growing frequency of engagements highlights mutual interest in a diversified and future-focused partnership. With Angola being a major oil producer and increasingly playing a key role in African regional politics, India’s diplomatic and developmental overtures are both timely and strategic.
President Lourenço’s State Visit to India is poised to be a turning point in India-Angola relations. From defence cooperation and digital connectivity to cultural exchange and strategic diplomacy, the visit underscores India’s expanding footprint in Africa — driven by mutual respect, shared developmental goals, and a vision for a multipolar, interconnected world. As EAM Jaishankar aptly summarized in his social media message, this visit sets the stage for “new avenues of growth” — not just between India and Angola, but across the broader landscape of India-Africa relations.
