President of the Republic of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind is expected in Zambia, Tuesday, for a three- day State Visit.
This is the first time in three decades that a President of India is undertaking a state visit to Zambia.
Foreign Affairs Minister Joe Malanji announced this at a press briefing in Lusaka on Monday, attended by Zambia’s High Commissioner to India Judith Kapijimpanga.
“Zambia has enjoyed excellent relations and cooperation with India with support accorded to Zambia on a bilateral level as well as under the framework of the India- Africa Forum Summit, in the fields of energy, health, infrastructure, capacity building, agriculture and trade among others,” Mr. Malanji said.
He said private investment in Zambia by Indian companies currently stood at over USD 5 Billion in sectors such as mining, infrastructure, manufacturing and pharmaceuticals.
“There has been a steady increase in bilateral trade which stands at USD 1.2 Billion from April 2017 to January 2018,” the Foreign Affairs Minister said.
Mr. Malanji said India was an important and strategic partner in the quest of the Patriotic Front- PF Government to deliver development to the Zambian people as articulated in the Seventh National Development Plan.
He said during the state visit, the two Heads of State would hold bilateral talks and witness the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) between India and Zambia aimed at enhancing cooperation in various sectors including the establishment of Entrepreneurship Development Institute in Zambia, taxation, visa exemption on diplomatic passports and judicial cooperation.
“President Edgar Lungu will continue to engage with his counterparts world over to ensure that a conducive environment for Zambia’s developmental aspirations is maintained on the International arena,” the Cabinet Minister said.
He said President Kovind and President Lungu would also officiate at a ground breaking ceremony of the decongestion of Lusaka roads which would result in fly over bridges.
The Indian President leaves Zambia on April 12, 2018.
And Zambia’s High Commissioner to India Judith Kapijimpanga says the mission in India holds the state visit in high esteem especially that tourism and trade volumes have quadrupled.
This was contained in a statement made available by First Secretary Press and Tourism at the Zambian Mission in India, Bangwe Naviley.
The 3rd fastest growing economy in Southern Africa…….ZAMBIA ..
You are welcome !!!!!!!!
Does he drink, he looks like. Am so confused, that “president”, never go to UN meetings. There is that Modi something.
Come on Inviting Indians in our country? They are dirty crooks. We don’t need them. They are the most racist people who just want to benefit from Africans. Inviting wrong countries who would offer nothing to Zambians. If Lungu is serious Invite Teresa May..
HH and UPND will complain that he did not meet with them. Total nutters!!!
Discuss setting up those medical facilities and Health Insurance schemes they have in India! We can’t all afford to go to India for treatment
President Xi Jinping comes to Zambia, then call me.
Why doesn’t African diplomacy raise the plight of Africans of Indian descent living without rights in India and the poor treatment of African students in India? Same applies to Latin America and the USA. Why does African diplomacy not raise the issue of poor treatment of people of African descent in those countries? What is the point of African diplomacy?
Well spoken. Reason why I say Africa does not need India period. Only for our exports.
Nzelu: Don’t be an extremist; things can change. USA and its allies fought Germany and Japan a little over 70 years ago but today they are best of friends. Don’t take anger and insults to serious issues. You just politely make your points and you will be amazed how you will disarm people.
Democracy transparency and fairness will only happen if and only if the Indian president visits UPND and HH also. If this does not happen, the babies in the under 5 clinic will cry the loudest and call India all sorts of names. We will hear how India helped Lungu to steal HH’s votes and how corrupt India is.
Western politicians who visit Zambia frequently include courtesy calls on the opposition. And western diplomats representing sovereign states in Zambia often invite opposition politicians to mark their national days at their chanceries. This happens in broad daylight and no informed person in unaware of it.
Zambia and India have one thing in common – very filthy countries primed for cholera.
Mr President, your nationals have flown the Indian flag in the Eastern Province so high that there are thousands of half muntu half mwenye. All those are potential Indians, please find time to visit them. They will be happy to host you.
Good visit but a proper memorandum has to framed.insults blaming will not Zambia forward
In 1987, China represented 1.618% of the global economy but by 2012 it had grown to 11.47% of the global economy and this is projected to rise to 15.5% in 2018. In 1964 India made up 3.1% of the global economy and in 2018 it is projected to make up 3.5%
My question would be: Why would anybody ever take advice from an Indian politician?
Another question might be: If the World’s 6th-biggest economy only ranks 131st on the Human Development Index, why haven’t you had a violent nationwide revolution?