New Delhi: Angolan President Joo Louren§o on Sunday concluded a two-day official visit to India, marking a significant event as it was the first visit by an Angolan head of state to the country in 38 years. The visit was highlighted by high-level meetings in New Delhi and the signing of several bilateral agreements aimed at rejuvenating relations between the two nations.
According to Angola Press News Agency, President Louren§o’s visit commenced at the Rashtrapati Bavan, where he was ceremonially welcomed by Indian President Draupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Angolan head of state was honored with a 21-gun salute and the playing of the Angolan National Anthem ‘Angola Avante’, as a show of respect and solidarity.
As part of the official agenda, President Louren§o paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at his memorial, where he engaged in the traditional ritual of walking barefoot and laid a wreath in honor of Gandhi’s legacy.
The pivotal moment of the state visit was the meeting at the ‘Panchavati’, the office of Prime Minister Modi, where the two leaders engaged in bilateral discussions. Both countries expressed a strong desire to revive and enhance cooperation, acknowledging the dormant phase in their relationship over past decades. The last similar visit was by President Jos© Eduardo dos Santos, 38 years ago.
Angola emphasized its interest in India’s collaboration in sectors such as oil and gas, mineral resources, agriculture, technology, healthcare, and education. India, on the other hand, is keen on maintaining its position as a major importer of Angolan oil and gas, and is looking to invest in the country’s refining and mining sectors.
The visit also resulted in the signing of four key agreements in the areas of culture, agriculture, traditional medicine, and the International Solar Alliance, signaling a renewed commitment to cooperative efforts.
President Louren§o’s itinerary included a dinner at the Presidential Palace, attended by notable Indian political figures including Vice President Jagdeep Dankhar. The visit concluded with a bilateral Business Forum aimed at fostering economic ties, organized in collaboration with the Indian Chamber of Industry and Angola’s Private Investment and Export Promotion Agency (AIPEX). President Louren§o also met with Indian business leaders already operating in Angola, further strengthening economic relations between the two countries.