New Delhi, Nov 8 (Representative) Zambian Foreign Minister Mulambo Haimbe and Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh, while co-chairing the 6th Session of the Zambia-India Joint Permanent Commission in Lusaka, expressed appreciation at the growing momentum in the bilateral relationship.Both leaders on Wednesday also re-affirmed their commitment to further strengthen bilateral ties for the benefit of the people of both countries. The two leaders expressed satisfaction on continued exchange of visits and underlined the importance of regular exchange at the political and official levels, including interactions within multilateral/plurilateral fora, including the UN. They further acknowledged the need to organise more events/programmes in each other’s country to commemorate 60 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Zambia, a statement said. 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.Both leaders appreciated the growing cooperation in the area of mines and mineral resources. Indian side offered support on training needs and sought specific investment proposals in the mining sector, particularly critical minerals. Both sides also reviewed Defence cooperation between the two countries and emphasised the need for an early constitution of Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) to provide structured cooperation in this sector.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. Both leaders acknowledged that there was vast scope of improvement in trade between the two countries, including the need to diversify the trade basket for further expansion and more regular participation in each other’s trade and business events. Both sides discussed the possibility of import of petroleum products from India to Zambia at competitive prices to strengthen its energy security. 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 2,000 Zambian students.