Embassy of India

Excellency, Hon'ble Vice President, Gen (Retd) Dr. C.D.G.N. Chiwenga,

Hon'ble Deputy Minister of Health & Child Care, Dr. J. Mangwiro, 

Dr. Alex Gasasira, Representative of World Health Organization, 

Dr. M. Mupotola, Representative of African Development Bank, 

Senior Officials from the Ministry of Health & Child Care, and the Sally Mugabe Central Hospital, 

Mr. Sanjay Babbar, Managing Director, M/S Mahindra, Zimbabwe

Members of the Press,

Ladies and Gentlemen

It is an honour and privilege for me to hand-over a consignment of 10 ambulances as a gift from India to Zimbabwe, which had been promised during the visit of Hon’ble Vice President of India in 2018.The state of the art ambulances have been manufactured by reputed Indian company, M/S Mahindra, who also have a presence in Zimbabwe.    

Today is a historic occasion in the long-standing friendly relationship that India and Zimbabwe enjoy.  The relationship is based on mutual trust, mutual respect and solidarity.It is the shared past which gives depth and substance to the bilateral relationship.   The friendship between India and Zimbabwe goes back to centuries and there are written records from the time of the Munhumutapas. An inscribed pillar at a chapel in Goa stands in the memory of Dom Miguel - Prince, Priest and Professor, and heir to the throne - who lived in India in the 17th century. A number of Indians have made Zimbabwe their home.  Government of India, as also people from India stood shoulder to shoulder with their Zimbabwean friends and fought against colonialism.   

The friendly relationship has continued and diversified over time.  Indian investors have invested over US$ 500 million in sectors like food processing, beverages, mining, textiles, agricultural equipments, polymers etc. Indian investors provide employment to over 5000 people in Zimbabwe. Our bilateral trade stands in the vicinity of US$ 200 million per annum.  The two countries have strong educational links too.  It is estimated that around 3000 Zimbabwean students are currently studying in India.

India and Zimbabwe are cooperating in various sectors at Government-to-Government level too. During the visit of Hon’ble Vice President in November 2018, India extended lines of credit worth over US$ 400 million including for the two thermal power plants at Hwange and Bulawayo, as also Deka Water Pumping Station. In the field of science and technology cooperation, India has established a vocational training centre at Victoria Falls. Indo-Zimbabwe Technology Centre at various locations is also being established.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are passing through unusual and difficult circumstances. The Covid-19 pandemic has affected lives and livelihoods in more ways than one. It is important for the world to face this challenge in a determined and coordinated manner.      

India and Zimbabwe have stood with each other during the pandemic. While facing our own challenges, India gifted emergency medicines worth over US$ 1 million as also 1000 MT of rice last year. Further, a consignment of Covid-19 vaccines was also provided in the month of March 2021. 

We hope that the ambulances will strengthen the health-care system in Zimbabwe and make the bilateral relationship more ambulatory, dynamic and strong.   

Long live India Zimbabwe friendship. 

Thank you