Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday welcomed Angolan President Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco to India, marking the first presidential visit from Angola in 38 years. The visit, coinciding with the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations, highlighted a renewed push to strengthen bilateral ties and expand cooperation in key sectors.
During a joint press statement, PM Modi emphasized the shared history between India and Angola, noting India’s support during Angola’s struggle for independence. “His visit is not only going to give a new direction to the relationship between India and Angola, but also strengthen India-Africa ties,” Modi said.
Among the major announcements was India’s approval of a USD 200 million line of credit to support the modernisation of Angola’s defence forces. India also offered assistance in training Angolan armed forces, underscoring a commitment to enhanced security cooperation.
Further expanding the bilateral partnership, PM Modi announced collaboration in digital public infrastructure, space technology, and capacity building, in addition to stepping up cooperation in healthcare, diamond processing, fertilizers, and critical minerals.
Highlighting cultural ties, PM Modi noted the growing popularity of yoga and Bollywood in Angola, announcing the launch of a youth exchange programme to deepen people-to-people connections.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi held bilateral talks with President Lourenco at Hyderabad House, accompanied by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. The visit is expected to open new avenues for India-Angola relations and further India’s engagement with the African continent.
