President Droupadi Murmu held wide-ranging talks with her Angolan counterpart, João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, in Luanda on Sunday, where both leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation in key sectors, including energy, infrastructure, defence, health, agriculture, and digital technologies.
President Murmu is on a State Visit to Angola and Botswana, marking the first-ever visit by an Indian President to Angola. She arrived in Luanda on Saturday evening and was received by Angola’s Minister of External Relations, Tete Antonio, and Vice Governor of Luanda province, Jorge Miguens. The President is accompanied by Minister of State for Jal Shakti and Railways V. Somanna and Members of Parliament Parbhubhai Nagarbhai Vasava and D.K. Aruna.
On Sunday morning, President Lourenço welcomed President Murmu with a ceremonial reception and guard of honour at the Presidential Palace in Luanda. The two leaders then held one-to-one and delegation-level talks, reviewing the full spectrum of India–Angola relations and identifying new areas of collaboration.
According to a statement from the President’s Secretariat, the discussions focused on enhancing cooperation in diverse areas. President Murmu reiterated India’s commitment to being a reliable development partner for Angola, both bilaterally and through the India–Africa Forum Summit.
Two Memorandums of Understanding were signed and exchanged during the meeting — one on cooperation in fisheries, aquaculture, and marine resources, and another on consular matters. The President’s Secretariat said the talks reflected the shared vision of both nations to strengthen trade, investment, and people-to-people connections.
President Murmu also welcomed Angola’s decision to join the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) and the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA), underscoring the joint commitment of both countries toward sustainable development and environmental protection.
Following the talks, the two Presidents issued statements to the media, affirming their intent to build on the long-standing partnership between India and Angola. President Lourenço hosted a Banquet Lunch in honour of President Murmu at the Presidential Palace.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that the visit comes as India and Angola celebrate 40 years of diplomatic relations and will further strengthen bilateral cooperation. He added that the visit will “deepen engagement across trade, energy, and development sectors.”
In a briefing held in New Delhi ahead of the visit, MEA Secretary (Economic Relations) Sudhakar Dalela said that President Murmu’s visit would provide an opportunity to review and expand cooperation in areas such as agriculture, energy, trade, technology, defence, and infrastructure. He also confirmed that the President will address the Angolan Parliament and interact with members of the Indian community.
During her stay, President Murmu will attend the 50th anniversary celebrations of Angola’s independence on November 11. She will then travel to Botswana from November 11 to 13 at the invitation of President Duma Gideon Boko, where she will hold bilateral talks, address the National Assembly, and meet the Indian community.
