India and Mozambique: Evolving Relations

Abstract

India and Mozambique both have a long history of friendly relations that have been built upon traditional linkages dating back to the pre-colonial period. There has been the exchange of Indian merchants and businessmen to Mozambique even before Vasco da Gama set sail for Africa and India. Due to the migration based on trading, the Indians have settled in Mozambique as traders. These ancient people-to-people contacts have been further built upon in modern times, to forge a strong bilateral relationship based on regular political contacts, ever-deepening economic engagement and well-integrated Indian community in Mozambique. India has a history of supporting African nations in their freedom struggle and it did support Mozambique too. In fact, India was amongst the first countries to open its embassy in Mozambique immediately after its independence. The Indian Ambassador was among those who witnessed the historic moment of the Portuguese flag coming down and new Mozambican flag going up in 1975. This article would try to trace the relationship between India and Mozambique in the past and will bring out the important areas for further co-operation between the two nations.