India rallies behind Zimbabwe’s Commonwealth readm...

India rallies behind Zimbabwe’s Commonwealth readmission bid

Zim Now Writer

An Indian delegation is in Zimbabwe to assess projects that are being implemented under the two countries’ partnership.

The delegation attended the commissioning of the Deka Water Pipeline in Hwange on Monday which was supported by the South Asian nation.

This Tuesday, it met with the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Ambassador Albert Chimbindi and expressed India’s support for Zimbabwe to be re-admitted into the Commonwealth.

The Head of India Delegation in Zimbabwe Mr Punnet Roy Kundal said, “Zimbabwe wants to re-join the Commonwealth and we know India is a part of the Commonwealth. Do we foresee India helping Zimbabwe get back to the family of nations, including the United Nations, where Zimbabwe wants a non-permanent seat on the Security Council?

“We have had discussions on this and we have agreed to carry forward these discussions as well. India and Zimbabwe traditionally have supported each other at multilateral meetings and multilateral fora. We are very supportive of each other’s candidatures and I can assure you that Zimbabwe will not find India wanting.”

Ambassador Chimbindi said they discussed issues including the Deka pipeline, the Commonwealth as well as India’s bid to be in the UN Security Council.

“The purpose of the visit is for political consultations as per our agreement. And under political consultations, we come and exchange notes and share perspectives on issues that are of interest and concern to both countries, at the bilateral level and also at the multilateral level. So, we are here to look at the global trends, see the issues that are taking place, share perspectives and make sure that we reach a common understanding on most of the issues.

“I know Zimbabwe wants to rejoin the Commonwealth, India is a voice and we have taken advantage of their presence. We also discussed the issue of being non-permanent members of the Security Council. India would want to be a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the period 2028 to 2029 and Zimbabwe’s candidature has already been endorsed by the AU for the period 2027 to 2028. So as you can see, we also shared perspectives on that and requested them to support us and also to mobilize support for our candidature within their regions and with their friends and allies.”

Zimbabwe and India share ties in various sectors that include health, trade and investment with political ties that date back to the struggle for independence.