Embassy of India

Mr. Raj Modi, Hon’ble Deputy Minister for Commerce and Industry, Govt of Zimbabwe,

Ambassador Vijay Khanduja,
Joint Secretary Puneet Kundal
My dear Fellow Indians,
Members of Indian Diaspora,

Good evening!
Namaskaram ! 

I am happy to visit this beautiful country, which is now a home for many of you.  My previous visit was in 2018 when I accompanied the Hon’ble Vice President of India in 2018 and at which time I had the occasion to meet some of you. 

Despite the fact that it has been only a few hours since my arrival, I have had very useful and productive meetings with His Excellency President Mnangagwa and Foreign Minister Frederick Shava.  I have conveyed the message of goodwill and friendship from Hon’ble Prime Minister Modi to President Mnangagwa.  I am also honoured and humbled at the warm welcome extended to me and my delegation by the Government of Zimbabwe and the Indian community. 

Friends,

India and Zimbabwe share strong and friendly ties. Our friendship is time tested.  Our merchants traded in textiles, minerals and metals centuries ago.  Prince Dom Miguel of the Munhumutapa Kingdom studied in India in the 17th century.  

In more recent times, the relationship has been nurtured through the presence of a strong Diaspora as also presence of a number of Indian companies in Zimbabwe.  You are a strong pillar in our bilateral cooperation.  It is our endeavour to further strengthen the relationship, not just with Zimbabwe but with all countries of Africa.   In this context, we have had visits by President, Prime Minister and External Affairs Minister to several countries.  I myself have visited 17 countries in Africa during the past three years.

 Africa has been given a special place in India’s foreign policy under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji.  It is the Government’s policy to respond to Africa’s priorities, demands and needs.  We have opened 18 new embassies in Africa since 2018.   We believe in Africa’s growth and prosperity and wish to be partner in this journey.  

Friends,

We have prioritized our relationship with Zimbabwe as well.  During the visit of Hon’ble Vice President in 2018, we extended lines of credit worth US$ 468.1 million.  The work on Deka Pumping Station and River Water Intake System started last year.  We are upgrading Bulawayo Thermal Power Station, refurbishing Hwange Thermal Power Plant.

The engagements between the two countries continued even during the pandemic.  I had a virtual meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Dr. Frederick Shava, in June 2021 at which we reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relationship.  

Vice President Gen (Retd) Constantino Chiwenga delivered a keynote address at the Inaugural Session in the 16th CII-EXIM Bank Conclave on India-Africa Project Partnership, which was held virtually in July 2021.  Four other ministers also participated at the Conclave. 

We also strengthened our relationship by gifting medicines, ambulances and Covaxin, Made in India vaccines to Zimbabwe.  

 In terms of capacity building and skill development, India committed 50,000 scholarships for African youth at the third India-Africa Forum Summit.  India provided medical assistance and vaccines during the pandemic to the African countries.

Friends,

I take this opportunity to brief you on some of the developments happening back in India. India today is transforming rapidly. We are moving ahead with the mantra of Reform, Perform and Transform under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji. Governance is becoming more responsive. We are integrating technology at its core for the welfare of the people and making it people-centric to transform lives in all governance sectors, from health to welfare. This has led to several achievements.

The Government has made service delivery transparent and efficient.

In the world's largest vaccination drive, India had administered over 190 Crore vaccine shots. The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana provided additional food grain to over 80 Crore poor and most vulnerable Indians during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Digital India has achieved financial inclusion through the revolution in mobile banking and the digital payments. Universal Payment Interface (UPI) is the world's most efficient payment infrastructure today. 40% pf the Global digital transactions take place in India. We are investing in developing capabilities in 5G, Internet of Things and clean energy technologies. We are working to unleash the next wave of innovation in data, Artificial Intelligence and other technologies.

The Government is empowering the youth to achieve its dreams. Missions like Startup India, Standup India, Make in India, and Atmanirbhar Bharat represent the country's aspirations. You all can take pride in the fact that today India is the world's third-largest start-up hub, with 68000 registered Start- ups and over 100 of them have become Unicorns.

Friends,

The New India is going truly global. We are innovating, improving and influencing the world. As India is rising, it is also contributing to global welfare. As ‘Pharmacy of the World’, India has provided medicines and COVID-19 vaccines to 150 countries. India is perhaps the first country to meet its ambitious Climate Action well before target of 2030. We have set up Internal Solar Alliance and Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.

India is one of the fastest growing large economies in the world, having achieved a growth rate of 8.7% in 2021-22 despite the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Indian merchandise exports crossed the set target of US $ 400 billion for the first time in 2021-22. 

India today is full of opportunities. You can contribute with your ideas, your business models and your investment profiles.  Our diaspora is an inalienable part of India’s transformation and on behalf of the Government, I invite all of you to come and join in these efforts and further our development agenda.

Friends,

I am very impressed to know that Members of the Indian Diaspora has made a name for itself in Zimbabwe. Senator Kantibhai Patel, Justice Ahmed Ebrahim, Justice Bharat Patel and Mr. Raj Modi to name a few, are examples. A number of you are well-known entrepreneurs and businesspersons in Zimbabwe or occupying high government positions in various organizations. This also reflects positively about the welcoming attitude and an appreciation of talent by the Zimbabwe government and I would like to congratulate them for this. 

I am aware that the Indian community has been involved deeply in celebration of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, including in the organization of Namaste Zimbabwe Festival.  I call upon all of you to continue your support on this important celebration. I am also aware that the first ever Bust of Gandhiji in Zimbabwe was unveiled on 2nd October 2021 at the Hindoo Society premises. 

I would like to reiterate that the welfare of our citizens outside India is a top priority of the Government. Operational Ganga to evacuate our citizens from Ukraine is one such example.      

Friends,

In conclusion, I appreciate each one of you, who have come here. Please keep building bridges of understanding and friendship as you have been doing.  You are all well placed to make a positive difference.

Jai Hind.

Thank you.