At the invitation of the Government of the Republic of Malawi, Honourable Shri Venkaiah Naidu, Vice President of the Republic of India, paid a 2-day bilateral Visit to Malawi, from 4th to 5th November 2018 aimed at strengthening the cordial and fraternal
bilateral cooperation existing between the two countries.
He was accompanied by a High Level delegation comprising Honourable Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar, two Members of Parliament and Senior Government Officials.
The Vice President was accorded a high-level ceremonial welcome on arrival. During the visit, he met His Excellency Prof. Arthur Peter Mutharika, President of the Republic of Malawi, and had discussions on a wide range of bilateral and multilateral issues of
mutual interest.
His Excellency the President expressed great satisfaction on strong bonds and mutually beneficial relations between Malawi and India. His Excellency the President reassured the Vice President that the Government of Malawi was fully committed in taking relations
between the two countries to greater heights for mutual benefit. President Mutharika also urged the Indian Private sector to invest in manufacturing in Malawi.
In His remarks, the Vice President underscored the importance of the warm and close ties between Malawi and India. He re-affirmed the desire to strengthen political, economic, commercial, technical, educational and agricultural cooperation between India and
Malawi. The contribution of 8,500 Indian Diaspora towards Malawi’s national development and economic growth was also recognized.
Both sides noted that India has gained expertise and capacity in the area of agriculture, health, education and renewable energy and is in a position to enhance cooperation with Malawi in these sectors.
President Mutharika and the Vice President condemned unequivocally terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and stressed that there can be no justification for any act of terrorism irrespective of motivations. In this context, both sides underlined their
shared concerns on the menace caused by terrorism and stressed the importance of international efforts to prevent and fight against terrorism. The two leaders agreed that resolute and credible steps must be taken to eliminate safe havens and sanctuaries that
provide shelter to terrorists.
Both sides underlined the need for urgent reforms of the UN Security Council and the importance of moving the reforms process forward.
The Vice President addressed India-Malawi Business meeting organized jointly with the Malawi Investment and Trade Centre, Malawi Chamber of Commerce and Indian Chambers. His programme also included inauguration of the Business Incubation Center and symbolic
unveiling of the India Africa Institute for Agriculture and Rural Development (IAIARD).
The Vice President also addressed the Indian and Diaspora community.
The Vice-President launched the "India for Humanity” initiative with Malawi. Malawi is the first country to participate in this initiative. The Vice President handed over 2 artificial limbs to Malawian beneficiaries. A one-month workshop set up to fix 500 artificial
limbs prepared by the world-renowned Jaipur Foot Technology, was also inaugurated.
On the occasion of the visit, the two Governments signed three (3) Agreements on Extradition Treaty, Visa Exemption for Holders of Diplomatic and Officials Passports, and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Capacity Building in Regulating the Mining of Radio-Active/Atomic
Materials and Rare Earths with a view to further deepen and enhance cooperation between the two countries in this sector.
The Vice President announced
i. A Line of Credit of US$ 215.16 million for 18 water projects.
ii. Gifting of a ‘Bhabhatron’ Telecobalt Cancer Therapy Machine for the upcoming Cancer Centre.
iii. Gifting of medicines worth US$ 2 million.
iv. Gifting of 10 ambulances to attend to First Aid Medical Emergency Call
v. Gifting of 100,000 books on Science, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry for students in Secondary Schools.
vi. Establishment of Mahatma Gandhi International Convention Centre in Blantyre under Indian grant assistance.
At the conclusion of the visit, the Vice President of India thanked the Government and people of Malawi for the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation during their working visit.