Modi, Lourenco Pledge Stronger India-Angola Ties

At a bilateral meeting with Angolan President Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco on Saturday at Hyderabad House in New Delhi,Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a $200 million defence credit line to Angola and increased collaboration in the areas of public infrastructure,defence,and space technology.

“We are determined to act decisively and firmly against terrorists and their supporters.We appreciate Angola’s assistance in our battle against transnational terrorism,” Modi stated.Modi also called terrorism the “biggest threat to humanity” during a media appearance with visiting Angolan President João Lourenço. Additionally, he expressed gratitude to Lourenço and Angola for their condolences for the 26 victims of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam.

At Hyderabad House, PM Modi, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar extended a hearty welcome to President Lourenco.The leaders held talks to strengthen collaboration in areas like traditional medicine, agriculture, and cross-cultural interactions.At Rashtrapati Bhavan’s forecourt earlier in the day, Lourenco was given a formal welcome that included a Guard of Honour and a 21-gun salute. The dignitary was welcomed by President Droupadi Murmu and Modi. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal wrote on X, “A special welcome for a Global South partner.”Lourenco also laid a wreath at the Rajghat memorial of Mahatma Gandhi and signed the visitors’ book.”Recalling Bapu and his principles,” Jaiswal wrote in a post on X.

EAM Jaishankar, who had previously met with President Lourenco hope for the development of India-Angola and wider India-Africa relations.It was a privilege to welcome Angolan President Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco to India as part of his state visit.I appreciate his kind words for India and his advice on how to advance our collaboration,” he wrote.”I’m sure that his discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi later today will open up new opportunities for the development of India-Angola and India-Africa relations.”

In 1985, India and Angola established diplomatic ties. They have had formal ties for 40 years this year. Additionally, in 2025, Angola will serve as the African Union’s chair.Several high-level meetings have taken place between the two nations, such as the Angola-India meeting at the NAM Ministerial in January 2024 and the meeting between President Lourenco and PM Modi on the fringes of the BRICS Summit in 2018.