India, Mozambique to reactivate joint group on Defence

India and Mozambique have decided to ‘reactivate’ the joint working group on Defence. This will help in training of personnel, helping with weapon and ammunition requirements, collaboration in maritime security. Besides, Indian companies will explore the possibility of investments in agriculture, technology and infrastructure and oil resources. 

During a meeting with  visiting Mozambique President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also agreed to send a delegation of experts to explore the possibility of collaboration in agriculture. The two countries signed Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the field of New and Renewable Energy.

“We are delighted to be a development partner for Mozambique in several areas, including agriculture, healthcare, energy, infrastructure and human resource development,” Modi said after the talks.“We would like to renew our invitation to Indian investors to invest in Mozambique through PPPs (public-private-partnerships) and in individual capacities… Our focus is to mobilise more investment for agriculture sector to produce more food... We would like to invite private investors to invest in Mozambique. We would like India to promote technological expertise, mining and pharma,” Nyusi said.

India is a large trading and investment partner of Mozambique, with bilateral trade in 2014-15 reaching almost $2.4 billion. Indian investments in Mozambique are presently valued at over $7 billion mainly in the hydrocarbon and coal sectors. India is also an important destination for Mozambicans for higher education and healthcare facilities. An alumni of IIM-Ahmedabad, Nyusi will visit his alma mater on Thursday.