Mozambique India Relations: Trade Agreement, Summit, Partnership - UPSC Notes

India and Mozambique work closely across various domains to further enhance their strategic partnership. Mozambique, nestled in the Southeast Africa / Africa, holds a strategic position in world politics and security matters. India’s diplomatic ties with Mozambique began in 1975 (Relations from 1972), opening doors to mutual growth and collaboration. India and Mozambique maintain a High Commissions in Maputo and New Delhi, operating embassies in each others capitals to strengthen diplomatic relations. The significance of India and Mozambique ties is of Energy (coal, gas), maritime security, Lusophone connect, highlighted by their defense cooperation, economic collaboration, cultural exchanges, and common objectives in global security. 

• India and Mozambique cooperate in Energy, defense, trade, agriculture, health, education, development such as defense, nuclear energy, trade, space, oil and gas, cybersecurity, culture, and education. 
• Significant pacts covering areas like Defence Cooperation MoU (2006, 2022), Hydrocarbon MoU (2015), DTAA (2008), Extradition (2022), Air Services (2022) have been established between India and Mozambique to strengthen collaboration. 
• India and Mozambique have reached a trade volume of USD 477 billion (2023-24), highlighting the deepening of their economic ties. 
• Petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, rice, vehicles make up a major portion of India’s exports to Mozambique, underlining a robust trade framework. 
• India and Mozambique maintain strong trade ties, with Coal, cashew nuts, pigeon peas, other raw materials being among the main imports. 

The two countries are enhancing ITEC, ICCR scholarships, e-VBAB, capacity building ties through scholarships, joint programs, and tech-based solutions. This article details the Recent High-Level Visits, Key Bilateral Agreements, and Power Instruments between India and Mozambique India Relations, helping UPSC aspirants cover international relations comprehensively. 

Mozambique India Relations Establishment of Diplomatic Ties

Bilateral ties between India and Mozambique were initiated through Pre-colonial trade, support for FRELIMO, Consulate 1972. India and Mozambique have shared important diplomatic moments through visits like PM Modi (2016, 2023), President Nyusi (2015, 2023), Samora Machel (1982). 

• Liberation support, post-civil war reconstruction, strategic partnership focus illustrate the progression of India’s engagement with Mozambique, from early ties to strategic collaboration.

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Strategic & Political Cooperation of Mozambique India Relations

The partnership between India and Mozambique is of Energy (coal, gas), maritime security, Lusophone connect, marked by defense cooperation, economic collaboration, cultural connections, and mutual interests in global security. 

• India’s Training, equipment supply, maritime security, HADR, joint exercises with Mozambique focuses on joint exercises, technology transfers, and strategic partnerships to enhance national security. 
• With Cooperation in counter-terrorism, intelligence sharing, India and Mozambique counter threats by sharing intelligence and conducting coordinated safety operations. 
• Through Pan-African e-Network, e-VBAB, potential for growth, India collaborates with Mozambique to combat cyber threats and enhance digital safety. 
• Through UN, NAM, Commonwealth, SADC, AU, IORA, India and Mozambique contribute to global peace, multilateral diplomacy, and coordinated policy efforts. 
• Through their Significant Indian investment in coal, gas, renewable energy, India and Mozambique are collaborating on energy efficiency, fossil fuel alternatives, and grid modernization. 
• India and Mozambique have launched cooperation in fields like Air Services Agreement (2022), e-Visa facility to facilitate smoother travel and strengthen cultural exchange. 
• Agreement for Avoidance of Double Taxation (DTAA) in force (2008) between India and Mozambique play a crucial role in easing tax-related barriers for businesses and investors.

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Trade and Economic Overview of Mozambique India Relations

• Through key agreements in areas such as Defence Cooperation MoU (2006, 2022), Hydrocarbon MoU (2015), DTAA (2008), Extradition (2022), Air Services (2022), India and Mozambique aim to boost their cooperative efforts. 
• The trade volume between India and Mozambique has reached USD 477 billion (2023-24), highlighting the strengthening of their economic ties. 
• Investment flows comprise Indian FDI approx USD 11 billion (mainly energy), along with notable joint ventures and collaborative projects between India and its trade ally. 
• Meetings like Joint Commission (5th Session 2023), JWG Defence, held either yearly or biennially, are essential for reviewing and advancing bilateral trade and investment ties. 
• In a bid to enhance bilateral economic relations, India and Mozambique have extended several USD 772 million extended for various projects for mutual growth. 
• The export component from Mozambique to India was valued at USD 274 billion (2023-24). 
• Among India’s main exports to Mozambique are Petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, rice, vehicles, reflecting strong and balanced trade between the two countries. 

Mozambiques imports from India totaled USD 203 billion (2023-24) as per the latest figures. India is represented in Mozambique by firms such as Coal India, ONGC Videsh, BHEL, Essar, Tata, Jindal, strengthening economic links.

Socio-Cultural & Diaspora Engagement

The vibrant diaspora of India and Mozambique plays a pivotal role in strengthening Business, trade, professionals, cultural connect. Activities like CEP, Yoga Day, Indian cultural troupes, film festivals help people from both sides come together and appreciate each other’s heritage. By promoting Scholarships (ITEC, ICCR), university linkages, e-VBAB, India and the partner country are creating more chances for education. 

• Mozambique, primarily consisting of students and professionals, enhances cultural, educational, and economic connections, with numbers around Approximately 20,000 PIOs, 700 Indian nationals. 
• With the use of LoCs, grants, defense cooperation capacity building, cultural diplomacy, India and Mozambique aim to amplify their strategic positioning and exert greater influence on the global arena.

Mozambique India Relations Recent Developments

EAM Jaishankar (Apr 2023), President Nyusi virtual (Mar 2023, Aug 2023) have played a vital role in deepening diplomatic engagement between India and Mozambique. The current diplomatic landscape is shaped by Judicial Cooperation (2023), Diplomatic Training (2023), Air Services Protocol (2022), Extradition (2022), whether through renewed dialogue or active MoUs in key domains. 

• Several initiatives under Rural electrification, drinking water, solar projects, skill development are being implemented to strengthen bilateral relations. 
• Despite strong ties, India and Mozambique face challenges such as Security situation in Cabo Delgado, infrastructure gaps. 
• Long-term engagement strategies reflect positive Strengthen energy, defense, trade, development partnership between the two partners.

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UPSC Relevance of Mozambique India Relations

• Data on trade volumes, diaspora statistics, and agreements are useful for objective-type questions.
• Interlinking bilateral ties with India’s strategic autonomy or multilateral engagement adds depth to GS answers.
• India–Mozambique ties can serve as case studies in essays on diplomacy, soft power, or global cooperation.
• Geography optional can use trade flows, diaspora locations, and economic linkages as applied case studies.