India's President Murmu Embarks on Historic 6-Day Visit to Angola and Botswana
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In a significant move to boost bilateral ties, President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Angola on Saturday, marking the first leg of her six-day state visit to the African nation and its neighboring country, Botswana. The visit, scheduled from November 8-13, is part of India's efforts to strengthen its partnership with these countries and explore new avenues for collaboration in key sectors such as agriculture, health, energy, and trade. This historic visit makes President Murmu the first Indian head of state to visit these countries, reflecting the growing ties between India and Angola. The President was received at the Luanda International Airport by Angolan Minister of External Relations Tete Antonio and other senior officials from both nations. During her three-day stay in Angola, President Murmu will engage in high-level talks with her counterpart, Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco, and attend the 50th anniversary celebrations of Angola's independence. She will also address the Angolan parliament and interact with members of the Indian community. According to Sudhakar Dalela, Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, the visit will provide an opportunity to review and expand bilateral ties in various sectors, including infrastructure development, defense, and people-to-people connections. The visit is significant, as India and Angola are celebrating 40 years of diplomatic ties this year. The President will begin the second leg of her visit on November 11, traveling to Botswana's capital, Gaborone, where she will meet her counterpart, Duma Gideon Boko, and address the national assembly. She will also attend an event related to the translocation of cheetahs to India as part of Project Cheetah. Accompanying the President on this trip are Minister of State for Railways and Jal Shakti V Somanna and Lok Sabha MPs Prabhubhai Vasava and D K Aruna. The visit is a testament to India's commitment to strengthening its partnership with the African continent and opening up new avenues for collaboration and growth.
