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The relations between India and Malawi have been cordial and friendly. There is
a similarity of views between the two countries on several international, bilateral and multilateral issues and the two countries cooperate with each other at international fora such as the UN, NAM, CHOGM and WTO.
India maintained a resident diplomatic mission in Lilongwe until May 1993 when it was closed down. The closing of the mission was not related to any breakdown in the relationship. Malawi established her mission in New Delhi in early 2007 and the first High Commissioner of Malawi, His Excellency Brian Bowler, presented credentials to the President of India, Pratibha Devisingh Patil, at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 13th February 2008.
High Level Visits
The first President of Malawi, Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda visited India in 1983 to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. He was deeply influenced by the progress made by India and India’s potential as a possible source of technology and equipment for development of SMEs in Malawi. After this visit, there was increased interaction between the business communities of India and Malawi.
From the Indian side, Mrs. Indira Gandhi, (then) Minister of Information and Broadcasting visited Malawi in 1964 to participate in Malawi’s independence celebrations. In 1979, Shri Samrendra Kundu, MOS for External Affairs paid a visit to Malawi.
The Malawian Foreign Minister invited EAM to pay a visit to Malawi in April 2003 but the visit
was never finalised. When the Indian High Commissioner to Malawi (based in Zambia) presented credentials to the Malawian President in November 2004, the Malawian President and several Ministers conveyed their desire to upgrade Malawi’s relations with India through a state visit by the Malawian President to India preceded by the visit of Malawian Ministers of Industry, Science & Technology, Agriculture and Foreign Affairs and opening of Malawi’s diplomatic mission in New Delhi.
Cooperation in Political Field
Malawi showed understanding of India’s nuclear tests in 1998 and was one of the few countries that supported India’s position on this issue in the First Committee of the UN General Assembly in 1998. When the Indian High Commissioner called on the Malawian Foreign Minister, Dr. George Chaponda on November 13, 2004, he mentioned that Malawi would support India for the Permanent Membership of the expanded UN Security Council. The Malawian President reiterated this commitment when Mr. V.K. Grover, Special Envoy of the GOI called on him on May 5, 2005.
Cooperation in Economic Field
India is providing assistance to Malawi under its ITEC programme. Malawi utilised the services of TCIL for execution of a contract in the telecom sector worth US$20 million in the year 2000. M/s Tata Zambia and small Indian companies presently have offices in Malawi mainly for trade.
India’s exports to Malawi include textile yarns, fabrics, made-ups, transport equipment, pharmaceuticals, machinery and instruments. Malawi’s exports to India include mainly pulses and other commodities as Malawi is an agricultural economy.
Cooperation in the Cultural Field
There is no Cultural Exchange Programme between India and Malawi. Some Indian cultural troupes have visited Malawi in the past and the local people appreciated their performances.
Indian Community
There are about 5000 persons of Indian origin in Malawi. Most of them are British or American. The number of Indian nationals is about 750. About 80% of the Indian community are Muslims. Most members of Indian community are engaged in trade and there are a few professionals. Most Malawians of Indian origin arrived in Malawi mainly from Gujarat in the 1920s and afterwards. They are mainly concentrated in important cities such as Blantyre, Zomba, Lilongwe and Mzuzu. |
