Draupadi Murmu reached Luanda, Angola, on Saturday night, as the first leg of her state visit. This is the first state visit by an Indian throne of state to that African country. The tour, which is taking place in two countries—Angola and Botswana—from November 8 to 13, is stuff seen as India's transferral to strengthen its partnerships with countries in Africa and the Global South.
Why is this journey considered important?
This visit is not just a formal visit but a strategic step. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, this visit will requite new impetus to India's partnership with African countries in the political, economic, developmental, and cultural fields.
Both Angola and Botswana are important countries in Africa's waffly geopolitical and economic landscape; for example, Angola is important in oil fields, and Botswana is the leader in diamond production.
What will be discussed in this visit?
In Angola, Murmu held bilateral talks with his counterpart, Joao Lourenco. There she will shepherd Angola's 50th independence year-end celebrations on November 11, write Parliament, and meet the Indian community.
This will be followed by her visit to Botswana from 11 to 13 November, where she will discuss trade, investment, technology, energy, agriculture, health, defense, and up-and-coming people-to-people ties. In addition, there is moreover a focus on Botswana-India cooperation in the speciality of wildlife conservation.
What effect will this have on India-Africa relations?
The India-Africa partnership has grown rapidly over the years—encompassing digital public infrastructure, energy transition, minerals, and multilateral cooperation. Murmu's visit is a signal towards remoter strengthening these partnerships, which can unshut up new opportunities not only between the two countries but wideness the continent.
What will we see next?
MoUs and other agreements may be signed with Angola and Botswana—particularly in energy, defense, technology, and agricultural aid. India's Africa strategy will be broader in scope—the visit could potentially be followed by remoter initiatives under the India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) next year.
People-to-people contacts between the two countries will moreover increase, which will deepen the relationship not only economically but moreover at the socio-cultural level.
