Shrimati Droupadi Murmu, President of India, undertook a state visit to three African countries – &nbsp;Algeria, Mauritania, and Malawi – from 13 to 19 October 2024. This was the first-ever visit by an Indian head of state to these countries on the African continent. It was viewed as a conscious and well-planned endeavour by New Delhi to signal its continuing interest in strengthening the multidimensional strategic partnership with Africa and to diversify its links with the continent, covering the nations that had remained largely untouched by India’s summit diplomacy in recent years.&nbsp;

<h2>Context&nbsp;</h2>

As a backdrop, it is worth recalling that the Indian government made an exceptional effort to reach out to African nations through high-level visits in the past. Between March 2015 and October 2019, India’s top leaders, namely the President, the Vice President, and the Prime Minister, visited a total number of 34 countries in Africa. This was undoubtedly the highest number of visits before or after that specific period. Its significance was enhanced by India hosting nearly a hundred leaders from Africa who came for bilateral and multilateral engagements during 2014-19. Since then, and especially in the post-COVID era, the frequency of visits has decreased due to several factors, including momentous developments such as the conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia. The fourth India-Africa Forum Summit, too, could not be held. Hence, President Murmu’s presence for a week in different regions of Africa reflected India’s continuing commitment to forging a mutually beneficial relationship.&nbsp;

This visit symbolises India’s desire to understand and respond to the needs and interests of the nations of the Global South. A major recent step taken was India's successful push to secure permanent membership of G20 for the African Union (AU). Explaining the visit’s significance, Dammu Ravi, secretary for economic relations in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), said that Africa is the core of the Global South, stressing that “Africa is very, very important and very critical for our growth and for the growth of the Global South.”&nbsp;

<h2>Three-nation tour&nbsp;</h2>

The Indian President visited Algeria from 13 to 15 October, Mauritania on 16 October, and Malawi from 17 to 19 October. The format of state visits is well known. Its key elements are bilateral and delegation-level talks with the head of state or government, addressing the parliament wherever possible, interaction with business leaders and members of the Indian Diaspora, and other suitable programmes.&nbsp;

Algeria is not only the largest country in Africa but also one of the largest economies on the continent. There is a long tradition of close bilateral engagement. The partnership has been marked by the expansion of trade and economic links in recent years. Vice President Hamid Ansari visited Algeria in October 2016, and the Algerian foreign minister visited India in early 2019.&nbsp;

On arrival in Algiers, the President was received by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. This was a special gesture. Later, the two leaders held discussions based on a full bilateral agenda that focused on strengthening and deepening political, economic, and commercial cooperation, as well as people-to-people exchanges. Speaking at a business forum, President Murmu called for reinforcing the ongoing cooperation in energy, construction, automobiles, fertilisers, and pharmaceuticals and identifying new areas for collaboration. She encouraged Indian companies to remain engaged and invested in the opportunities offered by the Algerian economy.

“We, in India, see ourselves as a strong development partner of Algeria,” she noted. &nbsp;

The Indian side made it clear that Algeria had the former’s support in its endeavour to join BRICS. Regarding Western Sahara, India supports mutually acceptable solutions, the efforts made by the UN Secretary-General's special envoy, and the resumption of dialogue between all concerned parties. India enjoys good relations with Morocco and Algeria and remains committed to further strengthening them.&nbsp;

On arrival at the airport in Nouakchott, the Mauritanian capital, President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani received the President as a special gesture. Almost the entire cabinet was present. Following official discussions, the two governments signed four agreements relating to holding periodic consultations between the two Foreign Ministries, training of diplomats, visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports, and the cultural exchange programme for the period 2024–28. Besides, two private entities signed an agreement regarding the mining of phosphates in Mauritania. The country has abundant resources, particularly iron, copper, gold, lithium, and phosphate. With the opening of the Indian Embassy in June 2021 and the presidential visit, prospects of expanding cooperation look promising.&nbsp;

Briefing the media at the visit’s conclusion, A.K. Chatterjee, secretary in MEA, expressed the hope that the visit would motivate more Indian companies and investors to look for new investment and business expansion opportunities. At the same time, India will stay engaged by expanding its development cooperation with the country.&nbsp;

On reaching Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi, the President was received by Vice President Mr. Michael Usi. Fruitful bilateral discussions followed, where the Malawian delegation was led by President Lazarus Chakwera. Four agreements were signed – pertaining to sports, youth matters, pharmaceuticals, and art and culture. Addressing a business event, President Murmu expressed satisfaction at the growing India-Malawi trade and pointed to the complementarity of the two countries’ needs. Malawi is a country rich in natural resources and fertile agricultural land. In contrast, India has a vast consumer base with an increasing demand for energy, minerals, and food for its large population. Hence, both countries can come together to find “synergy” in many areas. Clearly, there is much potential for cooperation in the fields of agriculture, mining, energy, and tourism.&nbsp;

<h2>Conclusion&nbsp;</h2>

Due to a fortunate coincidence, this author was visiting Zambia to deliver lectures on India at two prominent universities in Lusaka, the capital, as the Indian President arrived in neighbouring Malawi on the third leg of her Africa tour. Our interlocutors and other African experts watched the outcome of this critical diplomatic mission with interest. Broadly, they supported the idea that Africa should have multiple partners for its development and that India enjoys a leading place in this category.&nbsp;

At the same time, some experts expressed the view that India needs to do more. Two specific suggestions were made in this context. First, the Indian government needs to set aside substantial sums of money for investing in Africa’s development projects through Exim Bank, etc., along with new investments by Indian business and industry. Second, India’s corporate players, especially the major groups, need to overcome their lingering negativity about Africa and plunge themselves into a more proactive and potentially beneficial association with Africa.&nbsp;

As to why they should do so, the answer is simple: Africa is the future. By 2050, every fourth person in the world will be an African. President Murmu made a sterling contribution by emphasizing that, by working more closely and more cooperatively, India and Africa can help themselves as well as the world at large.&nbsp;

Shrimati Droupadi Murmu, President of India, undertook a state visit to three African countries – Algeria, Mauritania, and Malawi – from 13 to 19 October 2024. This was the first-ever visit by an Indian head of state to these countries on the African continent.

Shrimati Droupadi Murmu, President of India, undertook a state visit to three African countries – Algeria, Mauritania, and Malawi – from 13 to 19 October 2024. This was the first-ever visit by an Indian head of state to these countries on the African continent. It was viewed as a conscious and well-planned endeavour by New Delhi to signal its continuing interest in strengthening the multidimensional strategic partnership with Africa and to diversify its links with the continent, covering the nations that had remained largely untouched by India’s summit diplomacy in recent years. Context As a backdrop, it is worth recalling that the Indian government made an exceptional effort to reach out to African nations through high-level visits in the past. Between March 2015 and October 2019, India’s top leaders, namely the President, the Vice President, and the Prime Minister, visited a total number of 34 countries in Africa. This was undoubtedly the highest number of visits before or after that specific period. Its significance was enhanced by India hosting nearly a hundred leaders from Africa who came for bilateral and multilateral engagements during 2014-19. Since then, and especially in the post-COVID era, the frequency of visits has decreased due to several factors, including momentous developments such as the conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia. The fourth India-Africa Forum Summit, too, could not be held. Hence, President Murmu’s presence for a week in different regions of Africa reflected India’s continuing commitment to forging a mutually beneficial relationship. This visit symbolises India’s desire to understand and respond to the needs and interests of the nations of the Global South. A major recent step taken was India's successful push to secure permanent membership of G20 for the African Union (AU). Explaining the visit’s significance, Dammu Ravi, secretary for economic relations in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), said that Africa is the core of the Global South, stressing that “Africa is very, very important and very critical for our growth and for the growth of the Global South.” Three-nation tour The Indian President visited Algeria from 13 to 15 October, Mauritania on 16 October, and Malawi from 17 to 19 October. The format of state visits is well known. Its key elements are bilateral and delegation-level talks with the head of state or government, addressing the parliament wherever possible, interaction with business leaders and members of the Indian Diaspora, and other suitable programmes. Algeria is not only the largest country in Africa but also one of the largest economies on the continent. There is a long tradition of close bilateral engagement. The partnership has been marked by the expansion of trade and economic links in recent years. Vice President Hamid Ansari visited Algeria in October 2016, and the Algerian foreign minister visited India in early 2019. On arrival in Algiers, the President was received by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. This was a special gesture. Later, the two leaders held discussions based on a full bilateral agenda that focused on strengthening and deepening political, economic, and commercial cooperation, as well as people-to-people exchanges. Speaking at a business forum, President Murmu called for reinforcing the ongoing cooperation in energy, construction, automobiles, fertilisers, and pharmaceuticals and identifying new areas for collaboration. She encouraged Indian companies to remain engaged and invested in the opportunities offered by the Algerian economy. “We, in India, see ourselves as a strong development partner of Algeria,” she noted. The Indian side made it clear that Algeria had the former’s support in its endeavour to join BRICS. Regarding Western Sahara, India supports mutually acceptable solutions, the efforts made by the UN Secretary-General's special envoy, and the resumption of dialogue between all concerned parties. India enjoys good relations with Morocco and Algeria and remains committed to further strengthening them. On arrival at the airport in Nouakchott, the Mauritanian capital, President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani received the President as a special gesture. Almost the entire cabinet was present. Following official discussions, the two governments signed four agreements relating to holding periodic consultations between the two Foreign Ministries, training of diplomats, visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports, and the cultural exchange programme for the period 2024–28. Besides, two private entities signed an agreement regarding the mining of phosphates in Mauritania. The country has abundant resources, particularly iron, copper, gold, lithium, and phosphate. With the opening of the Indian Embassy in June 2021 and the presidential visit, prospects of expanding cooperation look promising. Briefing the media at the visit’s conclusion, A.K. Chatterjee, secretary in MEA, expressed the hope that the visit would motivate more Indian companies and investors to look for new investment and business expansion opportunities. At the same time, India will stay engaged by expanding its development cooperation with the country. On reaching Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi, the President was received by Vice President Mr. Michael Usi. Fruitful bilateral discussions followed, where the Malawian delegation was led by President Lazarus Chakwera. Four agreements were signed – pertaining to sports, youth matters, pharmaceuticals, and art and culture. Addressing a business event, President Murmu expressed satisfaction at the growing India-Malawi trade and pointed to the complementarity of the two countries’ needs. Malawi is a country rich in natural resources and fertile agricultural land. In contrast, India has a vast consumer base with an increasing demand for energy, minerals, and food for its large population. Hence, both countries can come together to find “synergy” in many areas. Clearly, there is much potential for cooperation in the fields of agriculture, mining, energy, and tourism. Conclusion Due to a fortunate coincidence, this author was visiting Zambia to deliver lectures on India at two prominent universities in Lusaka, the capital, as the Indian President arrived in neighbouring Malawi on the third leg of her Africa tour. Our interlocutors and other African experts watched the outcome of this critical diplomatic mission with interest. Broadly, they supported the idea that Africa should have multiple partners for its development and that India enjoys a leading place in this category. At the same time, some experts expressed the view that India needs to do more. Two specific suggestions were made in this context. First, the Indian government needs to set aside substantial sums of money for investing in Africa’s development projects through Exim Bank, etc., along with new investments by Indian business and industry. Second, India’s corporate players, especially the major groups, need to overcome their lingering negativity about Africa and plunge themselves into a more proactive and potentially beneficial association with Africa. As to why they should do so, the answer is simple: Africa is the future. By 2050, every fourth person in the world will be an African. President Murmu made a sterling contribution by emphasizing that, by working more closely and more cooperatively, India and Africa can help themselves as well as the world at large.

Prioritising Africa, India’s President visits three countries 

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday wrote to India’s new President Droupadi Murmu calling to “properly handle differences and push bilateral ties forward in the right track”.

“China and India are important neighbours&nbsp;and a healthy, stable China-India relationship is in line with fundamental interests,” the Chinese president said in the letter. Russian President Vladimir Putin has also written to India’s new president.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/live-droupadi-murmu-takes-oath-as-president-of-india-500375">Also Read:&nbsp;Droupadi Murmu takes oath as president of India</a>

This is President Xi’s first direct communication with India since April 2021 when the Chinese leader offered assistance during the second COVID-19 wave.

Watch:

Murmu took oath as India’s 15th president earlier on Monday at a ceremony in the central hall of Parliament.

Several important dignitaries were present including PM Narendra Modi and Union ministers. After taking oath India’s president said her nomination has blessings of the poor and urged to speed up our efforts to meet&nbsp;the expectations.

(With inputs from Agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday wrote to India’s new President Droupadi Murmu calling to “properly handle differences and push bilateral ties forward in the right track”.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday wrote to India’s new President Droupadi Murmu calling to “properly handle differences and push bilateral ties forward in the right track”. “China and India are important neighbours and a healthy, stable China-India relationship is in line with fundamental interests,” the Chinese president said in the letter. Russian President Vladimir Putin has also written to India’s new president. Also Read: Droupadi Murmu takes oath as president of India This is President Xi’s first direct communication with India since April 2021 when the Chinese leader offered assistance during the second COVID-19 wave. Watch: Murmu took oath as India’s 15th president earlier on Monday at a ceremony in the central hall of Parliament. Several important dignitaries were present including PM Narendra Modi and Union ministers. After taking oath India’s president said her nomination has blessings of the poor and urged to speed up our efforts to meet the expectations. (With inputs from Agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Chinese President Xi Jinping writes to India’s new President Droupadi Murmu

Droupadi Murmu, the 15th president of India, addressed the nation after taking the oath of office and noted that she was the first president to be born in independent India and that it was an honour for her to lead the nation as it celebrated 75 years of independence.

Inaugural tribal and second woman to hold the nation's highest constitutional office, Murmu stated in her first address to the nation that attaining the position is not just her own accomplishment but also a reflection of the confidence of crores of Indians.

"Johar! Namaskar! I humbly greet all my fellow citizens from this sacred Parliament, a symbol of the hopes, aspirations and rights of all the citizens of India. Your affection, trust and support will be my greatest strength in discharging my functions and responsibilities," she said. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/live-droupadi-murmu-takes-oath-as-president-of-india-500375">As it happened: Droupadi Murmu took the oath as president of India</a>

"I express my heartfelt gratitude to all the MPs and all the members of the Legislative Assembly for being elected to the highest constitutional post of India. Your vote is an expression of the faith of crores of citizens of the country," Murmu said.

"Reaching the post of President is not my personal achievement, it is the achievement of every poor in India," Murmu stated in her address.

"It is the power of our democracy that a daughter born in a poor house, a daughter born in a remote tribal area, can reach the highest constitutional post of India," she added.

Today, in the Central Hall of Parliament, Chief Justice of India NV Ramanna administered the oath of office to the 64-year-old former governor of Jharkhand. She succeeds Ram Nath Kovind, whose five-year tenure ended on July 24. She added that the nation must work faster to live up to the expectations our freedom heroes had for the people of independent India. At a critical juncture, when India is commemorating the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, according to Murmu, the nation elected her president.

"A few days from today, the country will complete 75 years of its independence. It is also a coincidence that my political career started when the country was celebrating its 50th year of independence, and today, in the 75th year of independence, I have got this new responsibility. It is my great privilege to be given this responsibility at a historic time when India is gearing up to achieve the vision of the next 25 years," said the President.

She further said, "I am the first President of the country who was born in independent India. We have to work at a fast pace in this Amritkal to fulfil the expectations that our freedom fighters had from us citizens of independent India. In these 25 years, the path to the accomplishment of Amritkal will proceed on two tracks - everyone's effort and everyone's duty."

She made a point of highlighting her path from a small village to the top position in the nation, saying, "I started my life journey from a small tribal village in Odisha. From the background I come from, it was like a dream for me to get elementary education. But despite many obstacles, my resolve remained strong and I became the first daughter of my village to go to college. I belong to the tribal society, and I have got the opportunity to become the President of India starting from a&nbsp;municipal ward councilor. This is the greatness of India, the mother of democracy."

She continued by saying that the ability of a daughter born into poverty or a daughter born into a remote tribal location to ascend to the highest constitutional position in India is a testament to the strength of our democracy.

"Reaching the post of President is not my personal achievement, it is the achievement of every poor in India. My election is proof that the poor in India can dream and make them come true. It is a matter of great satisfaction for me that those who have been deprived for centuries, who have been away from the benefits of development, those poor, downtrodden, backward and tribals are seeing their reflection in me," she said. 
 
(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Droupadi Murmu, the 15th president of India, addressed the nation after taking the oath of office and noted that she was the first president to be born in independent India and that it was an honour for her to lead the nation as it celebrated 75 years of independence.

Droupadi Murmu, the 15th president of India, addressed the nation after taking the oath of office and noted that she was the first president to be born in independent India and that it was an honour for her to lead the nation as it celebrated 75 years of independence. Inaugural tribal and second woman to hold the nation's highest constitutional office, Murmu stated in her first address to the nation that attaining the position is not just her own accomplishment but also a reflection of the confidence of crores of Indians. "Johar! Namaskar! I humbly greet all my fellow citizens from this sacred Parliament, a symbol of the hopes, aspirations and rights of all the citizens of India. Your affection, trust and support will be my greatest strength in discharging my functions and responsibilities," she said. As it happened: Droupadi Murmu took the oath as president of India "I express my heartfelt gratitude to all the MPs and all the members of the Legislative Assembly for being elected to the highest constitutional post of India. Your vote is an expression of the faith of crores of citizens of the country," Murmu said. "Reaching the post of President is not my personal achievement, it is the achievement of every poor in India," Murmu stated in her address. "It is the power of our democracy that a daughter born in a poor house, a daughter born in a remote tribal area, can reach the highest constitutional post of India," she added. Today, in the Central Hall of Parliament, Chief Justice of India NV Ramanna administered the oath of office to the 64-year-old former governor of Jharkhand. She succeeds Ram Nath Kovind, whose five-year tenure ended on July 24. She added that the nation must work faster to live up to the expectations our freedom heroes had for the people of independent India. At a critical juncture, when India is commemorating the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, according to Murmu, the nation elected her president. "A few days from today, the country will complete 75 years of its independence. It is also a coincidence that my political career started when the country was celebrating its 50th year of independence, and today, in the 75th year of independence, I have got this new responsibility. It is my great privilege to be given this responsibility at a historic time when India is gearing up to achieve the vision of the next 25 years," said the President. She further said, "I am the first President of the country who was born in independent India. We have to work at a fast pace in this Amritkal to fulfil the expectations that our freedom fighters had from us citizens of independent India. In these 25 years, the path to the accomplishment of Amritkal will proceed on two tracks - everyone's effort and everyone's duty." She made a point of highlighting her path from a small village to the top position in the nation, saying, "I started my life journey from a small tribal village in Odisha. From the background I come from, it was like a dream for me to get elementary education. But despite many obstacles, my resolve remained strong and I became the first daughter of my village to go to college. I belong to the tribal society, and I have got the opportunity to become the President of India starting from a municipal ward councilor. This is the greatness of India, the mother of democracy." She continued by saying that the ability of a daughter born into poverty or a daughter born into a remote tribal location to ascend to the highest constitutional position in India is a testament to the strength of our democracy. "Reaching the post of President is not my personal achievement, it is the achievement of every poor in India. My election is proof that the poor in India can dream and make them come true. It is a matter of great satisfaction for me that those who have been deprived for centuries, who have been away from the benefits of development, those poor, downtrodden, backward and tribals are seeing their reflection in me," she said. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

My election proves that in India, the poor can dream and achieve too: President Droupadi Murmu

Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has landed himself into legal trouble once again for his controversial posts on NDA Presidential nominee Droupadi Murmu. As per reports, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) worker has moved a Mumbai court against the filmmaker alleging he had passed 'uncharitable' remarks about the&nbsp;NDA Presidential nominee.&nbsp;

The complaint has been filed by the police,&nbsp;on request of&nbsp;Subhas Rajora, under sections 499 and 500 (defamation), 504 (intentionally insulting a person), and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

As per reports, the magistrate has adjourned the matter to October 11. The complainant’s lawyer D V Saroj shared the news on Saturday and the complaint was filed in suburban Bandra on Thursday, July 14.

The complainant has claimed that Varma made 'derogatory' statements through his official Twitter account against Droupadi Murmu and the posts&nbsp;outrage&nbsp;the respect of women. It further added that RGV's tweets are tantamount to disrespecting the backward and scheduled caste people.

Another case&nbsp;was registered against RGV at Hazratganj police station on Sunday.

In his tweet, Varma had written, "If Drapaudi is the President who are the Pandavas? And more importantly, who are the Kauravas?" The post didn't go down well with many, inviting major backlash online.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-john-cena-takes-wedding-vows-again-with-wife-shay-shariatzadeh-after-21-months-of-florida-wedding-498159" hreflang="en">John Cena takes wedding vows again with wife Shay Shariatzadeh after 21 months of Florida wedding</a>

Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has landed himself into legal trouble once again for his controversial posts on NDA Presidential nominee Droupadi Murmu. As per reports, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) worker has moved a Mumbai court against the filmmaker alleging he had passed 'uncharitable' remarks about the NDA Presidential nominee.

Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has landed himself into legal trouble once again for his controversial posts on NDA Presidential nominee Droupadi Murmu. As per reports, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) worker has moved a Mumbai court against the filmmaker alleging he had passed 'uncharitable' remarks about the NDA Presidential nominee. The complaint has been filed by the police, on request of Subhas Rajora, under sections 499 and 500 (defamation), 504 (intentionally insulting a person), and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). As per reports, the magistrate has adjourned the matter to October 11. The complainant’s lawyer D V Saroj shared the news on Saturday and the complaint was filed in suburban Bandra on Thursday, July 14. The complainant has claimed that Varma made 'derogatory' statements through his official Twitter account against Droupadi Murmu and the posts outrage the respect of women. It further added that RGV's tweets are tantamount to disrespecting the backward and scheduled caste people. Another case was registered against RGV at Hazratganj police station on Sunday. In his tweet, Varma had written, "If Drapaudi is the President who are the Pandavas? And more importantly, who are the Kauravas?" The post didn't go down well with many, inviting major backlash online. Also read: John Cena takes wedding vows again with wife Shay Shariatzadeh after 21 months of Florida wedding

Ram Gopal Varma gets into legal trouble once again for 'derogatory' comment on Droupadi Murmu