Official Visit of Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh to Zambia (November 2024)

Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, Indian Minister of State, will visit Zambia from November 4-7, 2024, to co-chair the 6th India-Zambia Joint Permanent Commission, engage with Zambia’s leadership, promote trade through a Business Round Table Conference, and connect with the large Indian community in Lusaka, marking 60 years of diplomatic relations.

Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, the Minister of State for External Affairs, and the Environment, Forest and Climate Change, is scheduled to undertake an official visit to the Republic of Zambia from November 4 to November 7, 2024. This visit will include a significant participation in co-chairing the 6th Session of the India-Zambia Joint Permanent Commission on November 6, alongside Mr. Mulambo Haimbe, Zambia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The purpose of this session is to comprehensively review and discuss all facets of the bilateral relations between the two nations. The last session of the Joint Permanent Commission took place in 2005, in New Delhi. Furthermore, the previous visit by a Minister of State for External Affairs to Zambia occurred in October 2019 when the minister inaugurated the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Exim Bank Southern Africa Regional Conclave in Lusaka. During the course of the visit, Minister Singh is also expected to engage in discussions with senior Zambian government officials, participate in an India-Zambia Business Round Table Conference aimed at bolstering trade and investment, and interact with the vibrant Indian community residing in Lusaka, which comprises approximately 30,000 individuals. In the fiscal year 2023-24, bilateral trade between India and Zambia was valued at USD 448.39 million, with India being a significant investor in Zambia, having committed over USD 5 billion in investments. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Zambia, and the forthcoming visit by Minister Singh is anticipated to serve as a catalyst for the enhancement of bilateral relations.

The upcoming visit of Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh is a critical diplomatic effort aimed at reinforcing the long-standing ties between India and Zambia. In light of their 60 years of established diplomatic relations, this visit seeks to foster further cooperation in various sectors, primarily focusing on enhancing economic relations and investment opportunities. As Zambia hosts a substantial Indian community and has seen significant economic involvement from India, the discussions are expected to yield fruitful outcomes that will benefit both nations.

In conclusion, the official visit of Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh to Zambia presents a pivotal opportunity for the reinforcement of India-Zambia relations through high-level discussions, a review of past achievements, and forward-looking initiatives in trade, investment, and cultural exchanges. The outcomes of this visit are likely to significantly advance the cooperative framework between the two countries, marking a noteworthy milestone in their diplomatic history.

Original Source: www.africa.com