India-Angola Partnership Rooted in Mutual Trust
In her address, President Murmu emphasized that India places great importance on its relationship with African partners, with Angola holding a special place in New Delhi’s Africa outreach. She noted that India’s engagement with Africa has steadily evolved under the framework of the India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS), which has strengthened political, economic, and development cooperation across the continent.
The President expressed India’s readiness to host the next India–Africa Forum Summit in the near future, reaffirming the country’s long-term commitment to Africa’s development priorities. She said that India’s approach to Africa has always been guided by partnership rather than patronage.
Trade Crosses Historic $5 Billion Mark
Highlighting the economic dimension of bilateral ties, President Murmu described Angola as a key partner in India’s energy security. She noted that India, in turn, ranks among Angola’s top trading partners. Reflecting the growing economic engagement, bilateral trade between the two countries crossed the historic milestone of USD 5 billion in the previous year.
India currently exports a wide range of goods to Angola, including pharmaceuticals, food products, refined petroleum, automobiles, machinery, and industrial equipment. These exports have not only supported Angola’s domestic needs but have also strengthened supply chain linkages between the two economies.
Indian Companies Driving Growth in Angola
The President noted that Indian companies have established a strong presence across diverse sectors in Angola. From retail and tourism to diamonds, energy, infrastructure, hospitality, and agriculture, Indian enterprises have contributed meaningfully to Angola’s economic growth.
She underlined that these investments have generated employment opportunities for local communities and have supported capacity building. The President said such business engagement reflects the trust Angolan partners place in Indian companies and professionals.
Indian Diaspora as a Living Bridge
Approximately 8,000 persons of Indian origin currently live and work in Angola. President Murmu praised the community for its entrepreneurial spirit, hard work, and professional excellence, stating that their contributions have played a significant role in Angola’s development journey.
She described the Indian diaspora as a “living bridge” between the two nations, fostering people-to-people ties and cultural understanding. The President encouraged community members to continue acting as ambassadors of India’s values and capabilities.
Call for Shared Prosperity
Looking ahead, President Murmu said there are immense opportunities to further expand trade, investment, and people-to-people linkages between India and Angola. She urged members of the Indian community to actively participate in initiatives that promote shared prosperity and inclusive growth.
