India and Zambia Strengthen Ties
Key Meeting in Lusaka
Kirti Vardhan Singh, India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, co-chaired the sixth session of the India-Zambia Joint Permanent Commission with Zambia’s Foreign Minister, Mulambo Haimbe. This meeting took place in Lusaka, Zambia, during Singh’s four-day visit starting November 4. The session aimed to enhance the bilateral relationship between the two countries, building on discussions from 2005 in New Delhi.
Focus on Economic Growth
Singh expressed his excitement about the meeting on social media, highlighting the review of the bilateral relationship and discussions on expanding and diversifying it. The visit coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Zambia. A significant focus is on boosting economic ties, with bilateral trade reaching USD 448.39 million in 2023-24. India has pledged over USD 5 billion in investments, reinforcing its role as a major foreign investor in Zambia.
Environmental Initiatives
On November 6, Singh participated in an environmental initiative by planting a mango sapling at the High Commission of India in Lusaka. This act is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign, promoting environmental preservation. The visit highlights the commitment of both nations to strengthen diplomatic, economic, and cultural relations.
Doubts Revealed
Kirti Vardhan Singh -: Kirti Vardhan Singh is an Indian politician who serves as the Minister of State for External Affairs. This means he helps manage India’s relationships with other countries.
Mulambo Haimbe -: Mulambo Haimbe is the Foreign Minister of Zambia. He is responsible for managing Zambia’s international relations and foreign affairs.
Lusaka -: Lusaka is the capital city of Zambia, a country in Africa. It is where important government meetings and events often take place.
Diplomatic ties -: Diplomatic ties refer to the official relationships between two countries. These ties involve cooperation in areas like trade, culture, and politics.
Bilateral trade -: Bilateral trade is the exchange of goods and services between two countries. In this case, it refers to the trade between India and Zambia.
USD 448.39 million -: USD 448.39 million is the amount of money in US dollars that represents the total trade between India and Zambia. It’s a way to measure how much business they do together.
USD 5 billion -: USD 5 billion is the amount of money India has promised to invest in Zambia. This investment can help build businesses and create jobs in Zambia.
Environmental initiative -: An environmental initiative is a project or action taken to help protect the environment. In this case, it involved planting a mango sapling to promote environmental preservation.