India Backs Zim’s Industrial Growth

*Indian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Bramha Kumar*

Rutendo Mazhindu- Zim Now Reporter

India has reaffirmed its commitment to bolstering economic ties with Zimbabwe, offering strategic insights drawn from its own industrial transformation to help invigorate Zimbabwe’s manufacturing and mining sectors.

Addressing delegates at the Zimbabwe National Defence University in Harare on Tuesday, Indian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Bramha Kumar, highlighted the significance of economic liberalisation. He pointed to India’s sweeping reforms in the 1990s—marked by reduced state control, privatization, and increased foreign investment—as the catalyst for the country's rapid industrial growth. These reforms laid the groundwork for Indian conglomerates like Tata Motors and Mahindra to emerge as global players.

Ambassador Kumar urged Zimbabwe to take a page from India’s playbook, particularly in creating a business-friendly climate that promotes innovation and attracts investment. He cited India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative as a potential model for Zimbabwe to adapt, enabling the country to stimulate local production and industrial expansion.

Emphasising the centrality of human capital development, Kumar noted India’s prioritisation of technical education and skills training as a cornerstone of its economic rise. He encouraged Zimbabwe to invest in similar programs to cultivate a skilled workforce capable of driving sustainable industrialization.

India’s economic engagement with Zimbabwe has been steadily growing, underpinned by increasing trade and investment cooperation. The ambassador reiterated India’s readiness to deepen partnerships in key sectors, particularly mining and manufacturing, in pursuit of shared economic progress.