India and Zambia also seek to enhance bilateral trade, which reached USD 448.39 million in 2023-24
The 6th Session of the India-Zambia Joint Permanent Commission convened in Lusaka on November 6, 2024, marking a significant step in strengthening the longstanding ties between India and Zambia. Co-chaired by Zambia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mulambo Haimbe, and India’s Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs and Environment, Forest & Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh, the session reviewed ongoing collaborations and explored new avenues for cooperation in critical sectors impacting both nations.

MoS Singh's four-day official visit to Zambia, which began on November 4, 2024, underscored India’s commitment to enhancing its partnership with Zambia, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. In a social media post, Singh expressed his enthusiasm for co-chairing the session, emphasising India’s focus on expanding and diversifying its ties with Zambia.

The meeting addressed various facets of the bilateral relationship, which has seen considerable momentum in recent years. Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the frequency of high-level visits and underscored the importance of maintaining regular exchanges on both political and official levels. They also discussed the importance of engaging in multilateral platforms, including the United Nations, where both countries work together on global issues.

The leaders discussed plans to commemorate the six-decade diplomatic journey, agreeing to hold more events and programs in both countries.

The discussions focused on multiple sectors, including agriculture, education, science and technology, energy, and healthcare, as well as infrastructure development and disaster management. Both sides agreed that there is significant untapped potential across these areas, which could contribute substantially to their respective economies.

India-Zambia Agricultural Cooperation

 India proposed to deepen agricultural cooperation by gifting 100 solar-powered irrigation pumps to Zambia. Both nations expressed interest in expanding their collaboration in small-scale irrigation, which could significantly benefit Zambia’s agrarian economy. The Zambian side also requested additional slots for Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programmes, which provide short-term training to Zambian professionals, enhancing their expertise in this field.

Technology and Energy Development

 Acknowledging Zambia’s energy challenges, India proposed the early implementation of a 400 MW solar power project, spearheaded by the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) under the International Solar Alliance (ISA) initiative. The project aims to strengthen Zambia's energy infrastructure and diversify its energy sources. Both countries urged for an expedited conclusion of a tripartite agreement involving Zambia, NTPC, and ISA.

In the area of affordable housing, the leaders discussed transferring India’s expertise in innovative construction technologies, which focus on scalability, cost-effectiveness, and environmental sustainability. The Zambian side showed keen interest in learning about these advancements to address the country’s housing needs.

Mining and Mineral Resources

 Given Zambia’s rich mineral resources, both countries recognised the opportunity for increased collaboration in mining, particularly in critical minerals essential for global industries. India pledged support in training and skill development for Zambia’s mining sector, which could further enhance the sector's economic impact.

Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Cooperation

 In the healthcare sector, both nations discussed an expedited approval for the Indian pharmacopoeia in Zambia, which would enable Zambia to source high-quality, affordable medicines. Additionally, they explored the establishment of pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities in Zambia, including vaccine production centres and centres of excellence in health service delivery. This initiative aims to boost Zambia’s healthcare infrastructure, improve accessibility to essential medicines, and facilitate skills transfer.

Support for Zambia’s Drought Crisis

 Recognising the severe drought conditions affecting Zambia, India committed to providing humanitarian assistance, pledging 2,500 metric tons of maize, expected to arrive soon. India also conveyed its intent to provide fire tenders, sewing and embroidery machines, and medical equipment worth USD 1 million.

Trade, Investment, and Capacity Building

 Both sides acknowledged the need to enhance bilateral trade, which reached USD 448.39 million in the 2023-24 fiscal year. India, already a prominent investor in Zambia with over USD 5 billion in investments, proposed exploring avenues for expanding the trade basket and diversifying products and services exchanged between the two nations. Discussions also included the potential for Zambia to import petroleum products from India at competitive rates, addressing its energy security needs.

Capacity building and training programs continue to be central to the India-Zambia partnership. The Zambian side commended the benefits of India’s e-VidyaBharati and e-ArogyaBharati (e-VBAB) network project, which has provided online education to over 2,000 Zambian students through a learning centre at Mulungushi University. Both leaders emphasised expanding capacity-building initiatives to newer areas of cooperation.

Environmental Initiatives and Global Alliances

 During his visit, MoS Singh planted a mango sapling at the Indian High Commission in Lusaka as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign, promoting environmental awareness and conservation. Additionally, India invited Zambia to join international alliances, including the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), Coalition of Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), and the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA). Zambia’s recent ratification of the ISA Framework Agreement was welcomed by India, which views it as a step towards shared environmental and energy goals.

The session concluded with both sides expressing satisfaction with the successful discussions and reaffirming their commitment to deepening their partnership across all sectors. They emphasised the importance of ongoing collaboration and mutual support in regional and multilateral forums. With a robust agenda set in place, the 6th Session of the India-Zambia Joint Permanent Commission marks a milestone in the diplomatic journey of these two nations, setting the stage for a brighter, more prosperous future.