Govt thanks India for development assistance

Patience Muchemwa

The government has thanked the Indian embassy for assisting in the development of the country.

Speaking on the occasion of India’s 75th Republic day held at a Harare hotel on Friday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Dr Fredrick Shava said the Indian Embassy assisted with about US$400 million in the form of three lines of credit for key developmental projects.

“Let me take this opportunity to express Zimbabwe’s deep gratitude to India for extending developmental assistance of about US$400 million in the form of three lines of credit for Deka Pumping and River Water Intake System, the Hwange Power Plant Life Extension Project and the refurbishment of the Bulawayo Thermal Power Plant.”

In the past three year, India also assisted the country with food aid and medicines.

“In the area of humanitarian assistance, Zimbabwe has benefited from the provision of 1 000 metric tons of rice, a donation of ambulances, Covaxin vaccines and medicines in the last three years,” Dr Shava added.

Indian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Vijay Khanduja, said that the two nations have a strong bilateral engagement in numerous sectors of economy.

With the strong ties that date back to pre-colonial Zimbabwe, India says it is committed to strengthening Zimbabwe’s healthcare provision.

Khanduja said Zim Gold has plans to send Zimbabwean students to India on scholarship for studies.