New Delhi, October 2024 – President Droupadi Murmu has departed from Delhi on her first leg of a week-long, three-nation visit to Africa. The tour marks a historic occasion as it will be the first time an Indian President visits Algeria, Mauritania, and Malawi. This high-level diplomatic mission underscores India’s deepening engagement with Africa, a continent that has been gaining increasing significance in India’s foreign policy.
The President’s first stop will be Algeria, where she is expected to hold crucial bilateral talks with Algerian leadership, focusing on strengthening political, economic, and cultural ties between the two nations. Algeria, one of the largest economies in Africa, shares longstanding trade and diplomatic relations with India, and this visit aims to elevate the partnership to a new level.
Following her visit to Algeria, President Murmu will travel to Mauritania and then Malawi. Both countries are strategic partners in India’s broader development cooperation framework with Africa, particularly through initiatives like the India-Africa Forum Summit, which promotes South-South cooperation. The President’s visit is likely to explore avenues for collaboration in areas such as trade, energy, education, and agriculture.
In addition to her official meetings, President Murmu will also meet with the Indian diaspora in these countries. The Indian diaspora plays a vital role in fostering people-to-people connections and enhancing the socio-economic fabric of the host nations. These interactions are expected to strengthen ties and encourage further cooperation between India and the African nations.
The three-nation visit by President Murmu signals a reaffirmation of India’s commitment to expanding its diplomatic and economic footprint across Africa. With the global order shifting and Africa’s rising role in international affairs, India’s strategic outreach to these nations demonstrates the importance of creating robust partnerships in the Global South.
This diplomatic journey is anticipated to open new opportunities for trade, investment, and cultural exchanges between India and the African continent, fostering a new era of cooperation and mutual growth.
