Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, Minister of State for External Affairs, will visit Zambia from November 4-7, 2024, to co-chair the 6th India-Zambia Joint Permanent Commission and engage in discussions to enhance bilateral relations, trade, and investment. The visit is particularly significant as it marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, the Minister of State for External Affairs and Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoS-KVS), is scheduled to undertake an official visit to the Republic of Zambia from November 4 to November 7, 2024. This visit aims to strengthen bilateral relations and is particularly significant as it coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Zambia. On November 6, 2024, MoS-KVS will co-chair the 6th Session of the India-Zambia Joint Permanent Commission alongside Mr. Mulambo Haimbe, the Zambian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. This session seeks to review various facets of the bilateral relationship, building on the foundation set during the 5th Session held in New Delhi in 2005. MoS-KVS’s prior visit to Zambia in October 2019 involved inaugurating the CII Exim Bank Southern Africa Regional Conclave in Lusaka. The agenda for MoS-KVS’s visit includes engaging in discussions with senior government officials in Zambia and participating in an India-Zambia Business Round Table Conference, which aims to bolster trade and investment ties between the two nations. In the fiscal year 2023-24, bilateral trade was reported at approximately USD 448.39 million, with India being one of the foremost investors in Zambia, having pledged investments exceeding USD 5 billion. Additionally, MoS-KVS will meet with the Indian community in Lusaka, which boasts a significant and vibrant population estimated at around 30,000. This engagement underscores the cultural and community linkages that exist between India and Zambia. The forthcoming visit represents a pivotal step towards the further advancement of India-Zambia bilateral relations and is expected to yield substantial benefits for both nations.
The diplomatic relationship between India and Zambia has been robust for six decades, characterized by cooperation in various sectors including trade, investment, and cultural exchange. India has been a prominent investor in Zambia, and both nations have historically enjoyed cordial ties that are reflected in their joint efforts to promote mutual interests in economic growth and development. The upcoming visit of MoS-KVS signifies a continuous commitment to enhancing these ties and exploring new avenues for collaboration, particularly in business and trade.
In conclusion, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh’s visit to Zambia from November 4-7, 2024, represents a strategic initiative to reinforce the longstanding diplomatic relationship between India and Zambia. Through the Joint Permanent Commission discussions, business forums, and engagement with the Indian community, this visit aims to catalyze further economic collaboration and deepen ties between the two nations as they celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations.
Original Source: www.africa.com
