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First Post
07-05-2025
- Business
- First Post
How Angola-India partnership can become a blueprint for Delhi's Africa strategy
While the Angola-India ties had previously been transactional and narrow, the recent visit of President Lourenço has opened doors for a multidimensional partnership built on mutual respect, strategic alignment, and shared developmental goals. read more Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço's historic state visit to India from May 2 to May 4, 2025, marked a pivotal turning point in the bilateral relations between the two nations. This was the first visit by an Angolan head of state in nearly four decades and coincided with the 40th anniversary of India-Angola diplomatic relations. Despite the cloud cast by the tragic terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the visit proceeded without delay, underscoring both nations' resolve to strengthen ties and expand their global engagement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India and Angola, though geographically distant and linguistically diverse, are connected by historical threads of post-colonial solidarity, economic complementarity, and growing strategic convergence. Angola, located on the Atlantic coast of Africa, is rich in oil and minerals and forms part of the Lusophone African community. India, on the other hand, has long-standing relations with Angola's neighbours, such as Mozambique and Namibia, but its ties with Angola remained underdeveloped for much of the past two decades, especially during the tenure of former Angolan President José Eduardo dos Santos. During that period, Chinese engagement in Angola was dominant, leaving limited room for deeper Indo-Angolan interaction. However, since President Lourenço took office in 2017, Angola has increasingly recognised India's capabilities and potential contributions to its development journey. With Chinese investment in Angola declining and US tariffs beginning to bite, Angola is actively diversifying its international partnerships. India's development-centric foreign policy and its growing economic and technological clout make it a natural partner in this quest. During his visit to Johannesburg to attend the BRICS Summit, Lourenco met PM Modi on July 26, 2018, and discussed ways to enhance trade and investment between the two countries and also to deepen cooperation in sectors like energy, agriculture, food processing and pharmaceuticals. Energy and Economic Cooperation One of the major highlights of the visit was the reaffirmation of the centrality of energy cooperation in India-Angola relations. Angola is India's second-largest source of oil in Africa after Nigeria. Bilateral trade reached $4.2 billion in 2023–24, largely driven by oil exports to India. Both countries agreed to expand cooperation in oil exploration, refining, and energy infrastructure development. India also expressed a keen interest in participating in Angola's diamond sector, critical minerals exploration, and fertiliser production. Angola benefits from duty-free exports of oil to the US worth $700 million under the African Growth and Opportunity Act. Yet it faces 37 per cent new tariffs. China is its largest buyer of oil. As a Least Developed Country (LDC), Angola is entitled to access the Indian market under Duty Free Tariff Preference (DFTP) but lacks exportable items. Agricultural development and greater self-reliance in food security are among its aims. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The visit saw active participation from business leaders, with targeted meetings aimed at enhancing trade, investments, and joint ventures. The Angolan delegation included key ministers who arrived in India ahead of the president to facilitate focused bilateral talks, reflecting the seriousness with which Angola approached the visit. Defence and Strategic Engagement Another cornerstone of the visit was the deepening of defence ties. India approved a $200 million rupee-denominated line of credit for Angola to support its defence modernisation efforts. Discussions included the supply of military equipment, joint defence production, training for Angolan military personnel, and maintenance of existing Russian platforms. Angola's openness to Indian defence cooperation is a notable shift, signifying trust and alignment on strategic interests. In a symbolic and powerful gesture, Angola condemned the Pahalgam terror attacks, aligning itself with India's stance on terrorism and offering solidarity at a crucial moment. This move reflects a deeper understanding of India's security concerns and global worldview, contributing to the growing warmth in their bilateral relationship. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Technological Collaboration and Capacity Building India also showcased its leadership in digital and technological domains during the visit. Offers to share expertise in digital public infrastructure, space technology, and e-governance were welcomed by the Angolan side. A youth exchange programme was proposed to strengthen people-to-people contacts and foster cultural understanding between the two nations. Capacity-building initiatives in healthcare, agriculture, and education also featured prominently. Angola expressed interest in India's affordable healthcare solutions, pharmaceutical industry, and vocational training programmes. The two countries are expected to collaborate on skilling, which could significantly benefit Angola's young population. Environment and Sustainability The visit saw Angola joining the International Solar Alliance (ISA) as its 123rd member, signalling a shared commitment to sustainable energy. India extended invitations to Angola to participate in the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), the Big Cat Alliance, and the Global Biofuels Alliance. These engagements reflect the broadening of bilateral cooperation into climate action and environmental conservation—areas of increasing global importance. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Diplomatic and Regional Significance The ceremonial welcome accorded to President Lourenço at Rashtrapati Bhavan, delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and his meeting with President Draupadi Murmu underscored the high-level nature of this engagement. A business forum brought together investors and stakeholders from both sides, focusing on oil, gas, mining, agriculture, and infrastructure. Besides EAM, the President also met health minister Nadda, but a meeting with Raksha Mantri fell through due to scheduling issues in the context of the Pakistan situation. Importantly, Angola currently holds the rotating chair of the African Union (AU). In a significant diplomatic signal, India reinstated the tradition of inviting the AU Chair for a state visit. Angola's position as AU Chair adds weight to its call for an early convening of the fourth India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-IV). Angola is expected to lobby within the AU to ensure the summit takes place during its chairmanship, potentially co-chairing the event with India. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This visit thus has regional and continental implications. Angola is a member of several African regional economic blocs like the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). Its support for deeper India-Africa engagement could create new momentum for multilateral cooperation across the continent. The Road Ahead President Lourenço's visit to India has ushered in a new era of strategic partnership between the two countries. It highlighted mutual interests, ranging from energy and defence to the digital economy and climate resilience. While the relationship had previously been transactional and narrow, this visit has opened doors for a multidimensional partnership built on mutual respect, strategic alignment, and shared developmental goals. India's efforts to re-engage Africa, especially Lusophone Africa, are gaining traction. With Angola's renewed openness to diversifying its partnerships, the bilateral relationship is now poised to enter a new phase—one that reflects the evolving contours of South-South cooperation in a multipolar world. If follow-through measures match the diplomatic optimism, the India-Angola partnership will not only deepen but also emerge as a model for India's broader engagement with Africa. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The author is a former ambassador to Germany, Indonesia, Ethiopia, ASEAN and the African Union. He tweets @AmbGurjitSingh. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views.
News18
03-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Resilience & Reach: PM Modi's Meeting With Angola's President Signals Unwavering Africa Focus Post-Pahalgam Attack
The current visit of Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço to India holds significant weight. His discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 3 focused on strengthening bilateral ties; however, the visit's timing is crucial. It is the first state visit hosted by India after the Pahalgam attack, where 26 tourists in Kashmir were gunned down by Islamic terrorists on April 22.
Egypt Today
29-04-2025
- Business
- Egypt Today
Presidents El-Sisi and Lourenço reaffirm strategic partnership, economic cooperation
Long queues of humanitarian aid trucks waiting for the green light to move from Cairo heading towards the Gaza Strip on January 26, 2025- Samar Samir/ Egypt Today CAIRO – 29 April 2025: A joint statement was issued following the official visit of Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço to Egypt. The statement outlined that, "At the invitation of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of Angola, paid an official visit to Egypt for three days, from April 28 to 30, 2025." According to the statement, the official visit underscores the deep historical bonds of brotherhood and solidarity between Egypt and Angola, ties rooted in Angola's struggle for independence. The visit also aimed to strengthen the partnership between the two nations and support South-South cooperation. President Lourenço was accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising several ministers and senior officials from the Angolan government. During the visit, El-Sisi and Lourenço held extensive discussions marked by a spirit of cordiality, mutual respect, and shared understanding, reflecting the depth, strength, strategic nature, and mutual trust characterizing the relationship between the two countries. President El-Sisi extended his sincere congratulations to the government and people of Angola on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of their national independence in November 2025, as well as to Lourenço on Angola's presidency of the African Union. The two presidents reviewed ways to enhance cooperation in various fields to serve their common interests and establish new frameworks for strategic partnership. Both presidents emphasized the necessity of deepening economic cooperation and agreed to intensify joint efforts to promote investment and trade, particularly in sectors that contribute to economic diversification in both countries. This shared direction aims to support sustainable development goals, enhance institutional capacity building, and facilitate the exchange of expertise and best practices for the benefit of their peoples. In this context, the two sides reaffirmed the importance of continuing dialogue between their countries and agreed to hold the next round of political consultations in Luanda before the end of the current year. As current members of the African Union Peace and Security Council, the two presidents exchanged views on pressing issues related to peace and security on the African continent, with a focus on the political and security situations in Congo, South Sudan, and Somalia. Lourenço affirmed Angola's firm commitment, under its current presidency of the African Union, to supporting sustainable development, peace, and stability through the implementation of the AU's Agenda 2063 "The Africa We Want" and the "Silencing the Guns" initiative. Regarding the situation in Sudan, the two leaders expressed their deep concern over the ongoing conflict and its humanitarian consequences, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the resumption of a comprehensive national dialogue that preserves Sudan's unity and sovereignty and alleviates the suffering of its people. They also expressed their support for regional and international initiatives aimed at reaching a peaceful solution to the crisis, emphasizing the important role of the African Union in conflict resolution and mediation efforts. They further expressed their rejection of any attempts to form a parallel government in Sudan. On South Sudan, the two presidents expressed their concern about recent developments that could exacerbate political and security tensions. They stressed the necessity of dialogue and consensus-building, and the continued implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS). Concerning Somalia, the two presidents reiterated their support for Somalia's unity, stability, and security, and condemned the escalation of terrorist activities, including the recent heinous assassination attempt targeting the Somali president. Regarding the situation in the eastern of Congo, the two presidents reiterated their condemnation of all acts of violence that undermine peace and stability. President El-Sisi commended President Lourenço's efforts to address the crisis within the framework of the Luanda process. The two leaders affirmed their unwavering commitment to the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Congo, and stressed the importance of continuing dialogue among all concerned parties to reach a peaceful settlement of the crisis. The two sides also welcomed the appointment of President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, President of the Togolese Republic, as the new mediator in the peace process, and affirmed the fundamental role of the African Union in supporting regional initiatives to promote peace and security. The two presidents discussed the issue of water security and cooperation across international rivers, particularly in light of water scarcity, and emphasized the necessity of managing transboundary water resources in accordance with international law in a comprehensive manner that achieves mutual benefits, while respecting the principle of "no harm." The two presidents stressed the need to refrain from unilateral actions that provoke disputes between riparian states. The two presidents also expressed their deep concern regarding the escalating humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and reiterated the necessity of reaching a permanent ceasefire, ensuring the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people, and their support for the Arab/Islamic plan for recovery and reconstruction. President Lourenço commended Egypt's constructive role and strategic vision in the efforts to reconstruct Gaza and its mediation efforts to achieve sustainable peace and security in accordance with United Nations resolutions and the two-state solution. The two presidents reaffirmed their mutual support for their countries' nominations in international forums and agreed to continue regular consultations on regional, continental, and international agendas. They emphasized the importance of unifying the African voice to enhance the continent's representation in global governance institutions. In this context, the two presidents reiterated their full commitment to the decisions of the African Union to endorse the candidacy of Khaled El-Enany, Egypt's and the African Union's nominee, for the post of Director-General of UNESCO. El-Sisi expressed the Arab Republic of Egypt's support for Angola's hosting of the 7th African Union-European Union Summit in Luanda, and President Lourenço expressed Angola's support for Egypt's hosting of the 49th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council and the 8th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the African Union in July 2026. At the conclusion of the visit, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening multilateral action and stressed the urgent need to reform international institutions, foremost among them the United Nations and the Security Council, to ensure they are more inclusive, representative, and democratic, thereby enabling broader participation of developing countries in the global decision-making process.
Egypt Today
29-04-2025
- Business
- Egypt Today
Egypt and Angola forge deeper strategic ties, agree on economic cooperation
Long queues of humanitarian aid trucks waiting for the green light to move from Cairo heading towards the Gaza Strip on January 26, 2025- Samar Samir/ Egypt Today CAIRO – 29 April 2025: A joint statement was issued following the official visit of Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço to the Arab Republic of Egypt. The statement outlined that, "At the invitation of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, His Excellency President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola, paid an official visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt for three days, from April 28 to 30, 2025." According to the statement, the official visit underscores the deep historical bonds of brotherhood and solidarity between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Republic of Angola, ties rooted in Angola's struggle for independence. The visit also aimed to strengthen the partnership between the two nations and support South-South cooperation. President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço was accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising several ministers and senior officials from the Angolan government. During the visit, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and President João Lourenço held extensive discussions marked by a spirit of cordiality, mutual respect, and shared understanding, reflecting the depth, strength, strategic nature, and mutual trust characterizing the relationship between the two countries. President El-Sisi extended his sincere congratulations to the government and people of Angola on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of their national independence in November 2025, as well as to President Lourenço on Angola's presidency of the African Union. The two presidents reviewed ways to enhance cooperation in various fields to serve their common interests and establish new frameworks for strategic partnership. Both presidents emphasized the necessity of deepening economic cooperation and agreed to intensify joint efforts to promote investment and trade, particularly in sectors that contribute to economic diversification in both countries. This shared direction aims to support sustainable development goals, enhance institutional capacity building, and facilitate the exchange of expertise and best practices for the benefit of their peoples. In this context, the two sides reaffirmed the importance of continuing dialogue between their countries and agreed to hold the next round of political consultations in Luanda before the end of the current year. As current members of the African Union Peace and Security Council, the two presidents exchanged views on pressing issues related to peace and security on the African continent, with a focus on the political and security situations in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Sudan, South Sudan, and the Federal Republic of Somalia. President Lourenço affirmed Angola's firm commitment, under its current presidency of the African Union, to supporting sustainable development, peace, and stability through the implementation of the AU's Agenda 2063 "The Africa We Want" and the "Silencing the Guns" initiative. Regarding the situation in Sudan, the two leaders expressed their deep concern over the ongoing conflict and its humanitarian consequences, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the resumption of a comprehensive national dialogue that preserves Sudan's unity and sovereignty and alleviates the suffering of its people. They also expressed their support for regional and international initiatives aimed at reaching a peaceful solution to the crisis, emphasizing the important role of the African Union in conflict resolution and mediation efforts. They further expressed their rejection of any attempts to form a parallel government in Sudan. On South Sudan, the two presidents expressed their concern about recent developments that could exacerbate political and security tensions. They stressed the necessity of dialogue and consensus-building, and the continued implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS). Concerning 1 Somalia, the two presidents reiterated their support for Somalia's unity, stability, and security, and condemned the escalation of terrorist activities, including the recent heinous assassination attempt targeting the Somali president. Regarding the situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the two presidents reiterated their condemnation of all acts of violence that undermine peace and stability. President El-Sisi commended President Lourenço's efforts to address the crisis within the framework of the Luanda process. The two leaders affirmed their unwavering commitment to the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and stressed the importance of continuing dialogue among all concerned parties to reach a peaceful settlement of the crisis. The two sides also welcomed the appointment of President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, President of the Togolese Republic, as the new mediator in the peace process, and affirmed the fundamental role of the African Union in supporting regional initiatives to promote peace and security. The two presidents discussed the issue of water security and cooperation across international rivers, particularly in light of water scarcity, and emphasized the necessity of managing transboundary water resources in accordance with international law in a comprehensive manner that achieves mutual benefits, while respecting the principle of "no harm." The two presidents stressed the need to refrain from unilateral actions that provoke disputes between riparian states. The two presidents also expressed their deep concern regarding the escalating humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and reiterated the necessity of reaching a permanent ceasefire, ensuring the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people, and their support for the Arab/Islamic plan for recovery and reconstruction. President Lourenço commended Egypt's constructive role and strategic vision in the efforts to reconstruct Gaza and its mediation efforts to achieve sustainable peace and security in accordance with United Nations resolutions and the two-state solution. The two presidents reaffirmed their mutual support for their countries' nominations in international forums and agreed to continue regular consultations on regional, continental, and international agendas. They emphasized the importance of unifying the African voice to enhance the continent's representation in global governance institutions. In this context, the two presidents reiterated their full commitment to the decisions of the African Union to endorse the candidacy of Dr. Khaled El-Enany, Egypt's and the African Union's nominee, for the post of Director-General of UNESCO. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi expressed the Arab Republic of Egypt's support for Angola's hosting of the 7th African Union-European Union Summit in Luanda, and President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço expressed the Republic of Angola's support for Egypt's hosting of the 49th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council and the 8th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the African Union in July 2026. At the conclusion of the visit, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening multilateral action and stressed the urgent need to reform international institutions, foremost among them the United Nations and the Security Council, to ensure they are more inclusive, representative, and democratic, thereby enabling broader participation of developing countries in the global decision-making process.
