President Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has commended the continued and warm relations existing between Malawi and India, stressing that this is key in the social and economic development of the two countries.

Chakwera made the sentiments on Monday when he hosted a delegation of 37 Indian business leaders at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe. 

They delegation, which was led by Mr. Sunil Hukumatray Rajdev, Trade Commissioner, the Indian High Commissioner to Malawi, Shri Gopalakhrishnan, and the Malawian High Commissioner to India, Mr. Leonard Mengezi, is in Malawi to explore collaboration opportunities with the Malawian government for potential business investments.

In his remarks, President Chakwera emphasized the need for continued collaboration in areas such as economic development, technology transfer, and capacity building.

He expressed his delight in welcoming the delegation, signaling a commitment to continued collaboration between the two nations.

He also emphasized the importance of diversifying trade beyond traditional exports like soybeans and pigeon peas, encouraging the delegation to explore technological advancements as well.

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. Sosten Gwengwe, highlighted the diverse composition of the delegation, comprising investors from various fields such as agriculture, mining, health, and others.

The group has already engaged with local institutions like ADMARC and Mega Farms Unit to explore potential collaborations.

Mr. Sunil Hukumatray Rajdev, the leader of the Indian delegation, expressed gratitude for the President’s audience and reaffirmed India’s commitment to supporting Malawi’s development through continued collaboration and investment.

The delegation has signed 16 agreements on various forms of trade, paving the way for strengthened economic ties between the two nations.

During the meeting, the Indian delegation presented a state-of-the-art Swayam Diagnostic Medical Machine to His Excellency Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, as a symbol of India’s commitment to supporting Malawi’s healthcare sector.