Ngoni Dapira

INDIA’s relations with its partner countries, Zimbabwe included, are based on the principles of equality and mutual respect and not based on conditionality or prescriptions, the Ambassador of India to Zimbabwe Bramha Kumar has said.

This was said last week Friday at the inaugural Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme alumni meet in Mutare. The ITEC programme funded by the Indian government offers fully funded, short-term training courses in India for professionals, with applications available on the ITEC portal each year targeting government officials, private sector professionals and technical experts in various careers. Presently, 217 slots are offered annually to Zimbabwe.

Ambassador Kumar

Ambassador Kumar said the relationship between India and Zimbabwe has always been cordial and friendly citing that India desires to continue to strengthen this mutually beneficial relationship and to enhance cooperation and understanding with Zimbabwe on issues of mutual interest at bilateral and multilateral levels.

“Due to our excellent and historical people to people contacts, there is a strong presence of people of Indian-origin in Zimbabwe. The beginning of Indian presence in Zimbabwe goes back to about 1890 when Indian plantation workers in apartheid South Africa crossed over to the then Southern Rhodesia. It is heartening to know that they have been an integral part of Zimbabwean society,” he said.

He added that that the investment in Zimbabwe by Indian companies has increased to an estimated US$600 million, a sign that his country has faith in President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s mantra that ‘Zimbabwe is open for business.’

He said the increased investment in Zimbabwe has been in sectors like food processing, beverages, mining, textiles, agricultural equipment and polymers. He further revealed that Indian investors in Zimbabwe are currently providing direct and indirect employment to 15 000 people in Zimbabwe.

“Similarly, the number of Indian companies operating in Zimbabwe is rising gradually. Active engagements between the governments of our countries have provided an important platform for enhanced people-to-people contacts through business, culture, tourism, health-care and other areas.

According to the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA), licensed investments from India grew from 10 investors in 2020 to 113 investors by the third quarter of 2025.

He said the correlation between India and Zimbabwe on improving the productive sector dates back to 2008 when India established 17 Indo-Zim Technology Centres in Zimbabwe through a grant of US$ 5 million. He said under the new dispensation government under President Mnangagwa the centres were upgraded in Phase II of the project with the supply of latest machines worth US$ 2.93 million and the project was completed in 2023.

“The work on the Deka Pumping and River Water Intake System, with the help of the Government of India’s line of credit of US$ 48.1 million has also been completed and was commissioned in August 2024. India is looking for continuation of meaningful contribution in Zimbabwe’s infrastructure and connectivity,” said the Ambassador of India to Zimbabwe.

Ambassador Kumar added that even on humanitarian grounds India has always come forward to assist Zimbabwe. He said in December 2024, 1000 metric tonnes of rice were delivered from India to ease pressure on the Government of Zimbabwe on food security and in 2020, India gifted US$ 2.2 million worth of emergency medicines.

He added that that India’s endeavor to partner with fellow developing countries such as Zimbabwe is an important pillar of their foreign policy. He also encouraged the ITEC alumni to make use of the skills they learned in India to help drive government’s 2030 developmental agenda.

“In our own limited way, we share with you our technologies, academic knowledge and experience to assist you in your national development goals. Because each of you has personally been a part of this experience. I am sure that you have also imbibed a greater understanding of India and will act as a bridge to foster even closer bilateral relations between our two countries. India’s development cooperation with our partners flows from our philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ which means the ‘World is one Family’,” said Ambassador Kumar.

Minister Mugadza

The Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution Honourable Advocate Misheck Mugadza thanked Ambassador Kumar for the inaugural ITEC alumni meet in Mutare. He said the decentralization of the ITEC alumni meets is a great idea that will give broader exposure to the programme.

He also thanked the Ambassador for the ITEC programme which he said creates a meaningful partnership that continues to build capacity to foster people to people exchange and different cultural understanding.

“The ITEC programme aligns with Zimbabwe’s strategic aspirations to strengthen education, scientific and technical cooperation with international partners thereby enhancing our nation’s global competitiveness which is in line with our President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s vision and mission of taking this country to another level,” said Minister Mugadza.