The current visit of Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço to India holds significant weight. His discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 3 focused on strengthening bilateral ties; however, the visit’s timing is crucial. It is the first state visit hosted by India after the Pahalgam attack, where 26 tourists in Kashmir were gunned down by Islamic terrorists on April 22.

The visit shows that even in the face of tremendous fear and stress from domestic instability, New Delhi’s diplomatic outreach is steady and resilient, especially towards Africa. India and Angola are celebrating 40 years of diplomatic relations, underscoring a consistent foreign policy. India’s focus on Africa is deeply tied to its broader ambitions as a leader of the Global South, and it significantly bolstered this role recently by facilitating the African Union’s entry into the G20.

It is the first Angolan presidential visit in 38 years, coinciding with the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Its timing underscores a crucial aspect of India’s foreign policy: diplomatic resilience and an unwavering, strategic commitment to Africa.

Since 2014, Prime Minister Modi’s government has clearly prioritised India-Africa relations. Ties have consistently strengthened. This commitment is shown through tangible actions, not just words. India significantly expanded its diplomatic presence across Africa; 18 of the 25 new embassies and consulates opened globally in the last nine years are in Africa. Platforms like the India-Africa Defence Dialogue (IADD) have been institutionalised. Furthermore, consistent high-level engagements continue, such as the recent visit to Nigeria—the first by an Indian PM in 17........

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