India, Mozambique step up energy, security ties

Imparting a strategic dimension to New Delhi’s burgeoning ties with Maputo, the energy-rich Lusophone country, India and Mozambique agreed to step up cooperation in maritime security in the Indian Ocean and proactively work together for the success of the UN Security Council reforms.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide-ranging talks with Mozambique’s President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, an alumnus of IIM (Ahamedabad), in New Delhi on August 5 and signalled New Delhi’s intent to scale up ties in multifarious areas, including energy, trade and investment, agriculture and security issues.

“India and Mozambique have large coastlines and are linked by Indian Ocean. I have discussed ways in which we can intensify cooperation in maritime security and ocean economy,” said Mr Modi.

The Mozambique leader’s visit marks a high moment in the ongoing 40^th anniversary celebrations of establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Underlining the importance of Mozambique for India’s Africa policy, the prime minister said: “Africa and the Indian Ocean are among the highest priorities for our foreign policy. Mozambique is crucial for both.”

India and Mozambique inked a pact on cooperation in renewable energy as New Delhi sought Maputo’s support for the success of the global climate summit in Paris in December.

Mr Modi thanked Mozambique for its support for India’s candidature for Permanent membership of an expanded UN Security Council.

“In this 70th year of the United Nations, I sought his support to press for urgently needed reforms of the United Nations, especially the Security Council,” he said.

The energy-rich Lusophone country is the second largest recipient of India’s soft loans in Africa: New Delhi has extended $640 million worth of LOCs to Mozambique. In July 2013, India and Mozambique signed three LoC agreements worth $216.4 million for a host of developmental projects encompassing drinking water supply, roads and housing development. Mozambique is the second largest recipient of LOCs in Africa.

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