India stands ready to partner with Mozambique in all areas of its development and both countries should work together to diversify bilateral trade, President Pranab Mukherjee has said. 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 diversify bilateral trade,” he said.
Mukherjee on Wednesday received Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, President of the Republic of Mozambique and his wife Isaura Farrao Nyusi at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He also hosted a banquet in their honour.
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,” Mukherjee said.
He expressed confidence that Mozambican President’s visit will strengthen the friendly relations and partnership between India and Mozambique.
In his banquet speech, Mukherjee 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.
Mukherjee said there is ample scope for building upon the many complementaries 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,” he said.
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.
Mukherjee congratulated Nyusi on his election as the fourth President of Mozambique. He praised him for selecting India as his first destination in Asia after becoming the President.
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.
Nyusi is confident that his visit will enable business of the two countries expand cooperation and bring the people of the two countries closer together.