Angolan President João Lourenço’s first state visit to India, from May 1 to 4, 2025, coinciding with the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations, marked a historic milestone in bilateral ties. It was the first visit by an Angolan head of state to India in nearly four decades, underscoring the growing strategic significance India holds for Angola, especially at a time when the country is actively diversifying its external partnerships and reassessing its overreliance on China. India and Angola have historically shared cordial relations founded upon a common legacy of anti-colonial solidarity. India consistently supported Angola’s struggle against Portuguese colonial rule until the country attained independence in 1975. Over time, bilateral economic engagement has witnessed steady growth, with trade between the two countries reaching USD 4.2 billion in the financial year 2023–24. However, oil and gas constitute almost 90 percent of this trade, underscoring the need for diversification.
Angola Eyes India in Countering China’s Influence (Samir Bhattacharya – Observer Research Foundation)
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