New Delhi, November 8 (IANS). Indian President Draupadi Murmu left on Saturday for a six-day state visit to Angola and Botswana. This is the first foreign visit of an Indian head of state to Angola and Botswana. For this reason it is being considered very special.
The Ministry of External Affairs shared the pictures of President Murmu’s departure on social media and wrote, “Reiterating India’s commitment towards Africa and the Global South, President Draupadi Murmu has left on a state visit to Angola and Botswana. This visit will be the first state visit of our President to these countries.”
Bilateral trade between India and Angola is growing and according to information shared by the Ministry of External Affairs, it reached US $ 4.192 billion during the financial year 2023-2024. India is Angola’s third largest trading partner. India’s share in Angola’s total exports is 10 percent, of which crude oil trade is important.
Apart from this, both the countries also have cooperation in agriculture, medical services, pharmaceuticals (generic medicines), diamond trade, space technology and digital public infrastructure.
On the other hand, there are also deep relations between India and Botswana. India is an important trading partner for Botswana. India exports medicines, vehicles, machinery, clothing and technical equipment to Botswana. Whereas Botswana exports diamonds, copper and other minerals to India. Trade between the two countries is approximately $600–700 million.
Giving information about President Murmu’s visit, Sudhakar Dalela, Secretary, Economic Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs, had said, “The President will be on a state visit to Angola and Botswana from 8 to 13 November. This will be the first state visit of an Indian head of state to Angola and Botswana. India’s engagement with Africa is growing. Relations between the two countries are deepening in all major areas including political, trade, economic and development partnership.”
Secretary Dalela said India’s Africa policy is guided by 10 principles set out by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018. The India-Africa Forum Summit serves as a broad framework for cooperation. India’s diplomatic presence in Africa has grown significantly in recent years with the opening of 17 new missions.
–IANS
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