India – Angola relation : India – Africa

 Why in news ? India’s diplomatic engagement with Africa received a significant boost as President Droupadi Murmu embarked on a four-day state visit to Angola, marking the first-ever visit by an Indian President to the country. The trip comes at an important moment, with Angola celebrating 50 years of independence and India and Angola set to complete 40 years of formal diplomatic ties in 2025.

Key  highlights :

• Focus on Africa as a strategic partner, particularly in energy, defence, technology, agriculture, and skills development.
• Emphasis on expanding cooperation across key sectors.
• India sees Angola as a vital partner for its energy security, with Angola already supplying a substantial share of India’s crude oil imports.
• India’s interest in securing a long-term energy purchase agreement with Angola.
• Indian companies are exploring opportunities to invest in onshore and offshore oil exploration and refinery modernisation projects within Angola.
• Given Angola’s place as one of the world’s major producers of diamonds and India’s global leadership in diamond cutting and polishing, both countries see a clear opportunity for mutually beneficial cooperation.
• A number of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were exchanged during the visit, including those related to fisheries, aquaculture, and marine resources.
• The two leaders also discussed intensifying collaboration in technology, agriculture, healthcare, defence, infrastructure, and people-to-people exchanges. President Murmu welcomed Angola’s decision to join the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) and the Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA), signalling shared commitment to environmental sustainability and conservation.

 India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS): 

The India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) is the official platform for structured dialogue and partnership between India and the African continent.

• It embodies India’s long-standing historical, economic, and developmental engagement with Africa.
• The framework reflects South–South Cooperation — countries of the Global South collaborating for mutual growth, equality, and shared prosperity.

Core Objectives of IAFS:

1. Development Partnership – Promote inclusive and sustainable development through capacity-building, training, and technology sharing.
2. Trade & Investment Cooperation – Enhance bilateral trade and industrial partnerships.
3. Energy and Resource Security – Diversify energy sources and promote renewable energy collaborations.
4. Infrastructure Development – Support African countries via Lines of Credit (LoCs) through EXIM Bank of India.
5. People-to-People Ties – Foster cultural exchanges, education, and health cooperation.
6. Peace and Security Cooperation – Support UN peacekeeping, maritime security, and counter-terrorism.
7. Global Governance Reform – Coordinate positions on global issues like UNSC reforms, climate change, and WTO negotiations.

Achievements So Far:

• EXIM Bank Lines of Credit exceeding US$ 12 billion across 40+ African nations.
• Over 50,000 African students trained under ITEC and ICCR programs.
• Pan-African e-Network Project (2009–2017) — digital connectivity for education and telemedicine across 48 countries.
• e-VidyaBharati and e-AarogyaBharati (e-VBAB) projects launched in 2018 as digital successors.
• India ranks among Africa’s top 5 trading partners (trade crossed USD 90 billion in 2022–23).
• Strong cooperation on climate action, renewable energy (ISA, GBA) and wildlife conservation (IBCA).

India–Africa Forum Summit in Context of Angola (2025 Visit):

During her State Visit to Angola (Nov 2025), President Droupadi Murmu highlighted:

• The need to strengthen cooperation under the broader IAFS framework.
• Focus areas: energy security, agriculture, health, defence, and technology.
• Angola’s participation in India-led global initiatives like:
  • Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA)
  • International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)
• This aligns perfectly with the IAFS goals of sustainable development and South–South collaboration.

Importance of IAFS Framework for India:

1. Strategic Diplomacy: Positions India as a reliable and equal partner in Africa’s rise.
2. Energy Security: Africa supplies nearly 20% of India’s crude oil imports (mainly Nigeria, Angola, etc.).
3. Economic Growth: Expanding Indian private sector presence in African markets.
4. Geopolitical Balance: Counterbalancing China’s influence (through FOCAC).
5. Global South Leadership: Reinforces India’s vision of a multipolar, inclusive global order.

NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa’s Development):

• Established: 2001
• Purpose: NEPAD is a strategic framework for Africa’s socio-economic development, aimed at eradicating poverty, promoting sustainable growth, and integrating Africa into the global economy.
• Origin: Initiative by five African leaders — Presidents of Algeria, Egypt, Nigeria, Senegal, and South Africa.

 

Objectives of NEPAD:

1. Poverty Eradication: Focus on improving living standards and human development.
2. Economic Growth: Promote investment, trade, and industrialization.
3. Infrastructure Development: Energy, transport, ICT, and water projects.
4. Good Governance & Democracy: Promote transparency, accountability, and the rule of law.
5. Sustainable Development: Environment-friendly growth and natural resource management.
6. Global Integration: Enhance Africa’s participation in global economic and political processes.