New Delhi [India], November 8 (ANI): President Droupadi Murmu departed on Saturday for a state visit to Angola and Botswana, marking the first-ever visit by an Indian Head of State to these nations.
According to Rashtrapati Bhavan, this historic visit underscores India’s commitment to strengthening ties with Africa and the Global South. In a post on X, Rashtrapati Bhavan stated, “President Droupadi Murmu departs for her State visit to Angola and Botswana. This will be the first-ever State visit by an Indian Head of State to these nations.”
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also emphasized the importance of the visit. In a post on X, the MEA said, “Reiterating India’s commitment towards Africa and the Global South. President Droupadi Murmu has departed on a two-country State visit to Angola and Botswana. This visit will be the first-ever State visit by our President to these nations.”
India aims to strengthen defence and energy cooperation with Angola during President Murmu’s visit, the MEA announced on Thursday. Addressing a special press briefing, MEA Secretary of Economic Relations Sudhakar Dalela said that defence collaboration and lines of credit are among the key focus areas of engagement between India and Angola.
“I think both are very critical sectors for cooperation. When the President of Angola came to India this year, he discussed both these aspects with our leadership. We already have a fairly vibrant energy partnership with Angola, with about USD 5 billion in trade—80 percent of which is in the energy sector. Our partnership with Angola, from an energy security perspective, is very critical, and we would like to explore ways to add more momentum and depth to our partnership,” Dalela said.
Botswana has also expressed readiness to send a “good number” of cheetahs to India under Project Cheetah, the MEA announced on Thursday, ahead of President Murmu’s visit. The initiative marks a significant boost to India’s wildlife conservation efforts. (ANI)
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