India-Zambia Agreements

Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari was on a-three-day visit to southern African nation Zambia from 05 January 2010 to 07 January2010. The visit was a part of three-nation tour to African continent, which included Malawi and Botswana besides Zambia. The Vice President met his Zambian counterpart George Kunda and Zambian President Rupiah Bwezani Banda.   

During his visit, an agreement took place between Government of Zambia and India’s Exim bank. According to the agreement, the bank will provide a loan of 50 millions dollars for the construction of the Itezhi-Tezhi Power project. This is a joint venture between Zambia Electricity Supply Company and Tata Africa Holdings.

Besides, India offered a credit of 75 million dollars over the next two years and a grant of 5 millions dollars to Zambia.

Zambia on its behalf declared its support once again for India’s bid to get membership in expanded U.N. security- council.

Hamid Ansari also called on Zambia’s First President Kenneth Kaunda the founding father of the southern African nation.  Kenneth Kaunda not only played a major role in Zambia’s independence but also in uniting the country’s 73 tribes as one nation. Still, considered an important figure in Zambia’s politics 18 years after his retirement from active politics, Kaunda urged for India’s help in fighting the AIDS pandemic.

The visit of Hamid Ansari to Zambia is a part of Indian strategy to have a strong influence in the Southern African region.