Angolan President Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan on Saturday as he commenced his State Visit to India. President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar were present at the reception, highlighting the significance of the visit.
President Lourenco arrived in New Delhi on Friday, accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising ministers, senior officials, and business leaders. Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh received him at the airport with a special welcome.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) are expected to be signed during the visit, covering areas such as traditional medicine, agriculture, and cultural cooperation.
India and Angola established diplomatic relations in 1985, and 2025 marks the 40th anniversary of bilateral ties. Angola currently serves as the Chair of the African Union for 2025, further enhancing the significance of this high-level engagement.
Past interactions between the two nations include meetings between Prime Minister Modi and Angolan leaders during various summits, including BRICS and the India-Africa Forum Summit. The visit is expected to deepen cooperation and reinforce strategic and economic ties between India and Angola.
