New Delhi/Johanessburg, 22 November (H.S.): On the sidelines of the G20 summit on Saturday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço held a significant bilateral meeting, reinforcing the strategic partnership between the two nations. The leaders' discussion underscored a mutual commitment to enhancing cooperation in key sectors and strengthening their collective voice for the Global South.

President Lourenço, attending the summit in his capacity as the Chairperson of the African Union (AU), engaged in what Prime Minister Modi described as a wonderful discussion.

In a statement, PM Modi highlighted the burgeoning relationship, noting, India values the friendship with Angola and our nations are working closely to increase trade as well as cultural linkages. This meeting follows President Lourenço's state visit to New Delhi earlier this year, where the groundwork was laid for deeper collaboration.

Bolstering Economic and Cultural Ties

The dialogue between the two leaders builds upon a robust and growing economic relationship. Bilateral trade between India and Angola reached an estimated $5.03 billion in the 2024-25 fiscal year, marking a significant 20% increase from the previous year.

Angola is a crucial partner for India's energy security, with India being the second-largest importer of its crude oil, which accounts for nearly 90% of their bilateral trade. In return, India is a major supplier of pharmaceuticals, food products, machinery, and automobiles to Angola.

During their discussions, both leaders agreed to explore and strengthen cooperation in diverse fields, including diamond processing, healthcare, fertilizers, and critical minerals. The cultural connection between the nations was also a point of discussion, with Prime Minister Modi acknowledging the popularity of Yoga and Bollywood in Angola as a testament to their strong people-to-people ties.

To further this, a youth exchange program was previously announced to foster deeper cultural understanding.

A Shared Vision for the Global South

A key theme of the meeting was the shared vision for the progress of the Global South. Prime Minister Modi congratulated President Lourenço on Angola's leadership of the African Union. He proudly recalled that it was during India's G20 presidency that the African Union achieved permanent membership in the prestigious global forum. This shared history of advocating for developing nations continues to be a cornerstone of the India-Angola relationship, as they work together to represent the aspirations of the Global South on the world stage.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar