Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Zambia, H.E. Mulambo Haimbe, S. C,M.P. and Minister of State for External Affairs and Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Republic of India, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, co-chaired the 6th Session of Zambia- India Joint Permanent Commission on 06 November 2024 in Lusaka.
Both sides reviewed and discussed cooperation in the areas of Agriculture, Education, Science &Technology, Energy, Culture, Housing and Urban Development, Finance, Development Partnership, Training Scholarship and Capacity Building, Defence, Mines and Mineral Resources, Transport and Communications, Water Development and Sanitation, Disaster Management Healthcare, Cooperative & SMEs, and Consular issues. Both leaders underscored the need to realize the untapped potential in these important sectors of the bilateral cooperation.
The two leaders highlighted the need to expand the existing cooperation in agriculture and agro-processing sector. This included the proposal by Indian side about the gifting of 100 solar power irrigation pumps to Zambia as well increasing cooperation in the small-scale irrigation area through private sector initiative. Both sides also acknowledged the growing scope of cooperation in this sector and the Zambian side highlighted the need to consider more ITEC slots for short term training programmes for them.
Both sides discussed the early commencement of India- Zambia Technology Transfer Programme. Given the energy shortage in Zambia, both sides discussed ways to expedite the implementation of the proposal by National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) for setting up of a 400 MW solar power plant in Zambia under ISA- Programme. Indian side urged for an early conclusion of the tri-partite agreement between Zambia, NTPC and ISA. Both sides also discussed technical cooperation in areas of new construction technologies and techniques in mass affordable housing, sharing innovative low-cost housing technologies, which are scalable and environmentally sustainable.
In the healthcare sector, both leaders discussed ways for an early conclusion of the proposal for recognition of Indian pharmacopoeia, which would help Zambia source quality medicines at an affordable price. Discussions on establishment of pharmaceuticals manufacturing facilities, including vaccines manufacturing plants, centre of excellence for health service delivery and capacity building and skills transfer were also held.
Indian side expressed concern over ongoing drought situation in Zambia and underscored its pledge to provide material assistance to Zambia in the form of 2500 MT of maize, which is expected to reach Zambia soon. Indian side conveyed that other grant proposals viz, gifting of five fire tenders, 500 sewing and 100 embroidery machines and medical equipment worth USD 1million are also under consideration with the Government of India.
Capacity building and training programmes remain an important dimension of the India- Zambia partnership. The need to expand capacity building to newer areas was also emphasised. Zambian side expressed appreciation regarding the e-VBAB Programme (online education), which is being operated from a learning centre at Mulungushi University, Kabwe, which has benefitted more than 2000 Zambian students.
Indian side invited Zambia to join the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), Coalition of Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA). Indian side also welcomed the ratification of the ISA Framework Agreement by Zambia.
Both leaders also exchanged views on regional and multilateral issues, cooperation in multilateral fora including at the UN, between both countries and agreed to further strengthen this cooperation.