India and Angola have agreed to expand their energy partnership while also enhancing cooperation in digital infrastructure, space technology, and defence. The two countries signed several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) on Saturday aimed at boosting bilateral ties, coinciding with the visit of Angolan President João Lourenço to India — the first such visit in 38 years.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, following delegation-level talks, described the visit as “historic” and said it was not only giving new direction to India-Angola relations but also strengthening India-Africa ties. The two nations are currently marking the 40th anniversary of their diplomatic relationship.
“India stood firmly with Angola during its struggle for independence. Today, we continue to build on that foundation of friendship,” PM Modi said during a joint press statement.
The Prime Minister announced the approval of a Line of Credit worth $200 million for defence procurement to support the modernisation of Angola’s armed forces. “We have also discussed cooperation in repair, overhaul, and supply of defence platforms, as well as training support,” he said.
India also offered to share its expertise in digital public infrastructure, capacity building, and space technology with the southern African nation. Further areas of collaboration include healthcare, diamond processing, fertilisers, and critical minerals. A youth exchange programme is also being planned to strengthen people-to-people ties.
On the multilateral front, Angola signed the Framework Agreement of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), becoming its 123rd member. India also invited Angola to join other global initiatives such as the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), the Big Cat Alliance, and the Global Biofuels Alliance.
PM Modi welcomed Angola’s upcoming chairmanship of the African Union and recalled the bloc’s induction as a permanent member of the G20 during India’s presidency. “India and the African Union are pillars of the Global South. We stand united in representing the hopes and aspirations of developing countries,” he said.
In a strong statement against terrorism, the Prime Minister thanked Angola for its solidarity following the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam. “Terrorism is the biggest threat to humanity. We are committed to taking decisive action against terrorists and their supporters,” he said.
Secretary (Economic Relations) Dammu Ravi, while briefing the media, said bilateral trade between India and Angola currently stands at $4.2 billion, with oil and gas making up 90% of this trade. Angola is India’s second-largest African supplier of crude oil and liquefied natural gas, after Nigeria. India exports around $700 million worth of goods to Angola, including pharmaceuticals, vaccines, automobile components, plastics, and refined oil.
Ravi added that Angola had sought Indian assistance in refining and processing its newly discovered oil fields and in setting up refineries, both onshore and offshore.
India has stepped up its diplomatic outreach across Africa in recent years. Over the past decade, it has established 17 new embassies on the continent and extended credit lines worth over $12 billion, along with $700 million in grant assistance. Vocational training centres have been set up in eight African countries, and India is working with five others on digital public infrastructure projects.
Last month, India and Africa conducted their first joint naval maritime exercise, “AIKEYME,” underscoring growing defence and maritime cooperation.
“India and Angola are natural partners in progress. I am confident that under Angola’s leadership, India’s engagement with the African Union will scale new heights,” PM Modi said.
-ANI
