Indian President To Visit Zambia Next Week

The Indian President - Ram Nath Kovind, will embark on a three-nation state visit to the African countries of Equatorial Guinea, Swaziland and Zambia from April 7 to 12.

The Ministry said the visit would help to further deepen the relations between the three African countries.

President Kovind will arrive in Lusaka on April 10 where he will be received by his Zambian counterpart President Lungu and will be accorded a ceremonial welcome. President Kovind will then hold talks with President Lungu.

His programme includes a meeting with Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, a state banquet, interaction with the Indian community and addressing a business event jointly, with President Lungu.

The bilateral trade between India and Zambia reached USD 1 billion in 2016-17 and India imports copper from the African country. The Indian investment in Zambia is nearly USD 5 billion, mostly in the mining sector. India has given lines of credit to Zambia in the areas of power, agriculture and health. New Delhi has also trained nearly 40 per cent of the Zambian armed forces and almost the entire Air Force of Zambia has been trained by India, the Ministry said.