Luanda, Nov 10 (NationPress) During her visit to Angola, President Droupadi Murmu made a significant stop at the Fortaleza de São Miguel, a fortress that hosts the Museum of the Armed Forces. This museum details Angola's intricate military narrative, encompassing its colonial era and the fight for independence.

Earlier, President Murmu laid a floral tribute at the memorial of Angola's first President, Antonio Agostinho Neto, located in Luanda. She acknowledged Neto's pivotal role in the nation's independence struggle.

The President's Secretariat shared on X, stating, "President Droupadi Murmu paid floral tribute at the memorial of Dr. Antonio Agostinho Neto in Luanda. Dr. Neto, as Angola's first President, symbolizes unity, resistance, and national pride, playing a crucial role in the country’s quest for freedom."

President Murmu arrived in Luanda on Sunday for a State Visit at the invitation of her Angolan counterpart, Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco.

The two leaders convened to discuss enhancing bilateral relations, focusing on sectors such as energy, infrastructure, defense, health, agriculture, and digital technology.

During their discussions, President Murmu reaffirmed India's dedication to being a dependable ally in Angola's developmental path, both bilaterally and within the broader context of the India–Africa Forum Summit.

Additionally, both leaders oversaw the signing and exchange of Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at cooperation in fisheries, aquaculture, marine resources, and consular matters.

"President Droupadi Murmu held extensive bilateral talks with President Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco. The two leaders agreed to further deepen cooperation, particularly in energy, infrastructure, defense, health, agriculture, and digital technologies. The President reiterated India's commitment to being a reliable partner in Angola's development journey, both bilaterally and in the broader context of the India–Africa Forum Summit," the President's Secretariat mentioned in a statement on X.

On the Indian side, participants included Minister of State for Jal Shakti and Railways, Shri V Somanna, along with Members of Parliament Shri Parbhubhai Nagarbhai Vasava and Smt D. K. Aruna, alongside senior officials. The MoUs regarding cooperation in fisheries, aquaculture, marine resources, and consular matters were exchanged during this occasion.

Before their meeting, President Lourenco welcomed President Murmu at the Presidential Palace in Luanda, where she received a ceremonial welcome and guard of honor.

In a statement shared on X, the President's Secretariat noted, "President Droupadi Murmu was received by President Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco of Angola at the Presidential Palace, Luanda, Angola. She was honored with a ceremonial welcome and guard of honor upon arrival."

During her visit, President Murmu is set to participate in the 50th anniversary celebrations of Angola's independence on November 11.

"India and Angola share a close bond of friendship and cooperation, which has been expanding across various sectors. We have a dynamic energy partnership with Angola, building on the momentum generated by the Angolan President's visit to India this year. The state visit of Honourable Rashtrapati Ji will provide an opportunity to assess the overall climate of bilateral relations and to expand mutually beneficial cooperation in sectors such as agriculture, energy, trade and investment, technology, infrastructure development, defense, and people-to-people connections," stated the MEA ahead of the President's Angola visit.

Following her engagements in Angola, President Murmu will travel to Botswana from November 11-13 at the invitation of its President Duma Gideon Boko, where she will engage in discussions with him, address the National Assembly of Botswana, and interact with the Indian community.