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Parliamentary delegation from Zimbabwe calls on the President

Parliamentary delegation from Zimbabwe calls on the President

New Delhi – A Parliamentary Delegation from Zimbabwe led by Speaker of the Parliament of Zimbabwe, Advocate Jacob Francis Nzwidamilimo Mudenda, called on President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan today (December 7, 2022).

Welcoming the delegation to Rashtrapati Bhavan, the President said that relations between India and Zimbabwe are centuries old. The presence of about 9000 people of Indian origin in Zimbabwe is an important link between our people.

The President was happy to note that India’s economic relations with Zimbabwe are progressing well. The trade between India and Zimbabwe is around $200 million. Indian companies have invested about $500 million in Zimbabwe. India has provided five lines of credit to Zimbabwe, and has also set up a vocational training centre. She was also happy to note that the ITEC and ICCR scholarships from India are popular among Zimbabweans. She said that we should make more efforts to enhance our bilateral cooperation.

The President said that Parliament represents the voice of the people. There should be more interaction and exchange between our two parliaments. We have a lot to learn from each other.

The President said that India is the world’s largest democracy. Our strong and vibrant democracy starts from the grassroots level. It truly represents the people of this country. She expressed confidence that the delegation would learn more about India’s democratic systems during this visit.

India and Zimbabwe Relations 

India and Zimbabwe have a long history of close and cordial relations. During
the era of the Munhumutapa Kingdom, dating back to 14th century and later, Indian
merchants established strong links with Zimbabwe, trading in textiles, minerals and
metals. India had extended support to liberation movement of Zimbabwe. Then PM
Smt. Indira Gandhi participated in the Independence Day celebrations in 1980.

Since then, several Indian Prime Ministers and then President of India, Dr. S.D.
Sharma has visited Zimbabwe, and President Mugabe has visited India several
times. He has also been a recipient of the Jawaharlal Nehru Award in 1989.
However, since 1996 no bilateral high level visit from India has taken place, though
former PM Shri Vajpayee and President Mugabe had met twice on the sidelines of
UNGA and NAM Summits in 2003.

India and Zimbabwe share a similarity of views on most international issues
and closely cooperate at UN, NAM and other multilateral fora like WTO and G-15.
India has supported Zimbabwe in the Human Rights Commission and Zimbabwe
supported India for its elections to ECOSOC, UNESCO, and Council of the
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and in the UN Human Rights Council
elections.

India and Zimbabwe are members of G-20 in WTO and having common
position on IPRs and agricultural subsidies. Zimbabwe generally supports India in
most of the elections in the multilateral fora and our Resolutions in the UN.

During
the year 2011, Zimbabwe supported India´s candidates for election to the UN
Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Question (ACABQ).Zimbabwe also supported our candidature for a non-permanent seat in the UNSC.

Via – PIB | PRESIDENT OF INDIA MEDIA