Story by Peter Chivhima
ZIMBABWE and India are charting a new course in terms of economic ties as the Indian government pledged more support for infrastructural developmental projects in Zimbabwe.
The DEKA pipeline project which is nearing completion speaks volumes of the strong economic ties that exist between Zimbabwe and India after the Indian government availed US$48 billion for the implementation of the project in Matabeleland North Province.
But India is not done yet.
The country’s top diplomat to Zimbabwe, His Excellency Mr Vijay Kanduja pledged more support for developmental projects in Zimbabwe.
Ambassador Kanduja was speaking at the 74th anniversary of India’s National Day in Harare this Thursday.
“The first project we are funding in Zimbabwe, which is the Deka, is expected to be completed by March this year. We also pledge for more projects and we have since completed the tender process for more projects. Despite the adverse effects of COVID-19, we are happy to announce that the Indian economy continues to grow to be the largest economy in the world,” he said.
“In June 2022, we saw the Indian delegates visiting Zimbabwe where they donated a lot of equipment that include medical equipment to the government and sewing machines to the First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa’s Angel of Hope Foundation. In return, we saw several government officials from Zimbabwe visiting India.”
Zimbabwe’s Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Professor Amon Murwira acknowledged the growing economic relations between the two countries.
“We want to thank the Indian government for warm its hospitality to the people of Zimbabwe who visited India last year for bilateral consultations. Our First Lady last year visited India and we are delighted with the warm welcome.
“In return, we saw the Indian delegation visiting Zimbabwe where they donated sewing machines and went to assist women. The Indian government also supported us in the energy sector a development which will go a long way in addressing power shortages,” he said.
The occasion was graced by the business community and government officials, including the Minister of Defence and War Veterans Affairs, Cde Oppah Muchinguri Kashiri and the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa.