India Stands Ready to Partner Mozambique in All Areas of Its Development, Says President Mukherjee

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee yesterday (August 5, 2015) receivedHis Excellency Mr. Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, the President of the Republic of Mozambique and Dr. (Mrs.) Isaura Farrao Nyusiat Rashtrapati Bhavan. He also hosted a banquet in their honour.

Welcoming Mr. Nyusi, the President congratulated him on his election as the fourth President of Mozambique. He praised Mr. Nyusi for selecting India as his first destination in Asia after becoming President. The President said India attaches high importance to its relations with Mozambique. Indian companies have made some of their largest investments overseas in Mozambique. Trade between the two countries has seen impressive growth in recent years. He expressed confidence that Mozambican President’s visit will strengthen the friendly relations and partnership between India and Mozambique.

The President said India is happy to see Mozambique continuing its high rate of economic growth. With the recent discoveries of natural gas and minerals, the future holds a lot of promise. India stands ready to partner with Mozambique in all areas of its development. Expected growth of Mozambican economy through exports of gas provides more scope for trade and investment. Both countries should work together to diversity bilateral trade.

In his banquet speech, the President said that the State Visit was taking place at a time when India and Mozambique are commemorating 40 years of establishment of their diplomatic relations. India is glad to see that since then, Mozambique has made remarkable progress in reducing poverty, enhancing literacy, providing primary healthcare to its people and significantly increasing its agricultural production. By ensuring internal peace and stability in the last two decades and taking up wide-ranging reforms, Mozambique has transformed itself into one of the fastest growing economies in Africa.

The President said there is ample scope for building upon the many complementarities between the two economies and for expanding their collaboration in several fields including agriculture, food processing, healthcare and in the exploitation of Mozambique’s significant natural resources. India values its cooperation with Mozambique in international fora, including the United Nations, the Commonwealth and the Indian Ocean Rim Association. In this 70th year of the United Nations, India looks forward to working together with Mozambique and partners in the African Union and the Southern African Development Community to pursue long awaited reforms.

The President used the occasion to reiterate that India remains deeply committed to its partnership with Africa. India will be hosting the 3rd India-Africa Forum Summit in October this year. He expressed hope that the Summit will provide new and creative ideas for enhancing the socio-economic development of our peoples.

Speaking in response, the Mozambique President said he feels at home in India and recalled his days as a student at IIM, Ahmedabad. He said discussions during his visit have been fruitful and productive. He is confident his visit will enable business of the two countries expand cooperation and bring the people of the two countries closer together.

This release issued at1230 hrs.