zimbabwe and india relationships
Visits from India to Zimbabwe
1980 – Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi – to attend Independence Celebrations of Zimbabwe.
1986 – Prime Minister Shri Rajiv Gandhi to attend NAM Summit.
1989 – President Shri R. Venkataraman
1991 – Prime Minister Shri Narasimha Rao – to attend CHOGM Summit
1995 – President Dr. S. D. Sharma
1996 – Prime Minister Shri H. D. Deve Gowda for the G-15 Summit
Visits from Zimbabwe to India
1981 – President Robert Gabriel Mugabe
1983 – President Robert Gabriel Mugabe to attend CHOGM and NAM Summits
1987 – President Mugabe – Africa Fund Summit
1991 – President Mugabe – Nehru Award Presentation
1993 – President Mugabe
1994 – President Mugabe – G-15 Summit
India and Zimbabwe signed Joint Commission Agreement in January 1987. Four meetings of the Joint Commission have been held so far – first in New Delhi in April 1987; second in Harare in February 1989; third in New Delhi in October 1990 and the fourth in Harare in January 1996. No Joint Commission meeting has been held since 1996 mainly due to Zimbabwe’s economic turmoil. Dates for holding 5th JCM in Delhi are being worked out.
A SoM was held in Ministry of Commerce and Industry in New Delhi in February 2012, followed by the 2nd Joint Trade Committee meeting in Harare in March 2013.
The Air Services Agreement between India and Zimbabwe was signed on June 19, 2014 in Harare.
The frequency of visits by business delegations from Zimbabwe has gone up in the last few years and a probable turn-around in the Zimbabwean economy in the future can open up considerable opportunities for Indian companies in agro-processing, mining, telecommunications, power and pharmaceuticals. From the Indian side, a delegation each from CII and FICCI visited Zimbabwe in November 2013 and May 2014 respectively and participated in business seminars and B-2-B meetings.
Indian public sector companies like Indian Railway Construction Company (IRCON), Rail India Technical & Economic Services (RITES), Water and Power Consultancy Services (WAPCOS) and Telecommunications India Ltd. (TCIL) had a successful history of engagement with Zimbabwe.
Kirloskar and Jain Irrigation have supplied pumps and irrigation equipment. Some Indian companies are looking for investments in mining – coal, granite, gold and diamonds.
India has strong presence in pharmaceutical sector in Zimbabwe and Indian medicines are readily available in the local market. Ranbaxy and lpca Labs Ltd. have also established business relations with the Zimbabwean health sector. An Indian pharmaceutical company, “Shreya” had invested about US$ 1 million in the largest pharmaceutical company of Zimbabwe – ‘CAPS Ltd’. M/s Chadha Power of India were awarded a contract in April 2008 to refurbish four units at the Hwange Thermal Power Station near Victoria Falls.
Investments by a few other Indian companies in Zimbabwe are detailed below:
Surface Investment set up a multi-seed edible oil producing plant near Harare capable of producing 120,000 bottles of edible oil daily with an investment of nearly US$ 1.5 million.The project is a joint venture between Midex Global Pvt. Ltd., Indore and Industrial Development Corporation of Zimbabwe on 74 : 26 sharing basis.
Graffax Cotton Pvt. Ltd. – 100% foreign-owned EPZ company – has investment of US$ 2.5 million. It has one cotton-ginning plant in Sanyati and Mt. Darwin in Zimbabwe. The company has plans to install a spinning project to process 3000 tons of lint per annum into yarn and fabrics at Ardnbenny in Harare and an oil extraction/solvent plant at Mt. Darwin.
PM Electronics is exporting transformers to Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA). The company has also signed a technology transfer agreement with ZESA Enterprises – a subsidiary of ZESA – for a transformer manufacturing project in Harare.
Apollo Tyres has invested US$ 200 million in Dunlop South Africa, whose subsidiary is Dunlop Zimbabwe.
Technofab Engineering Limited, Delhi won three orders worth US$ 30 million in early 2013, for rehabilitation of water supply and sewage systems in Mutare, Harare, Chitungwiza, Kwekwe, Chegutu and Masvingo. The project is funded by Crown Agents on behalf of Ministry of Finance, Government of Zimbabwe.
Angelique International Ltd. Delhi were awarded contract for works “Emergency Power Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project” by the Government of Zimbabwe in 2013. The project is funded by European donors.
Another Indian firm Indure (Private) Ltd. was reported to have won tender worth US$ 11 million in August 2013 to rehabilitate and upgrade the ash plant at the Hwange Thermal Power Station.
Tata International acquired Blackwood Hodge (Zimbabwe) Pvt. Ltd. Co. dealing in trading and invested approx. US$ 2.5 million.
Jaguar and BEML are vying for project in Zimbabwe.
On the cultural side, Zimbabwe and India signed an agreement in 1981 which facilitated cultural exchange programmes for the years 1992 to 1994; but due lack of capacity to reciprocate on the part of Zimbabwe, cultural interaction has become somewhat unidirectional thereafter with groups visiting here largely for the Harare International Festival of Arts (HIFA).
In the last five years, a Goan folk music & dance troupe; and a classical music group led by world renowned Shujaat Hussein Khan; a Kuchipudi dance troupe led by Ms. Sailaja and an Odissi troupe led by Ms. Reela Hota, a 5-member Kathak troupe led by TV Frame, Ms Prachee S. Shah visited Zimbabwe to participate in Harare International Festival of Arts held from 1-5 May 2007. In 2008, two cultural troupes sponsored by the ICCR visited Zimbabwe – a 7-member Bhajan Group of Agnihotri Bandhu in March 2008 and a 12-member Gujarati Folk Dance Group ‘Panghat” in October 2008. A 5-member Kathak troupe led by Ms. S. Mehta participated in 2009 and a 12-member Gujarati Folk Dance Troupe led by Mr. Shivajibhai Bhoye participated at annual HIFA programme from 27 April-3 May, 2010. A 12-member Bhangra troupe, sponsored by ICCR, participated in HIFA and gave six performances in and outside Harare in May 2012. Another ICCR-sponsored Gujarati dance troupe gave around half a dozen performances in Zimbabwe in November 2012. A Rajasthani dance troupe participated in HIFA in May 2014.
A photo exhibition ‘My Land My People’ curated by Raghu Rai was also displayed in Harare. India has also been participating in international film festivals in Zimbabwe.
Three editions of Indian Food Festival were held successfully in Meikles Hotel, Harare in November 2012, October 2013 and October 2014 by the Embassy in collaboration with ITDC.
Two editions of Indian Handicrafts Exhibitions were organized by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts, India, in collaboration with Embassy in Harare in November 2012 and September-October 2013.
Indian Origin Community
The beginning of Indian presence in Zimbabwe goes back to about 1890 when Indian plantation workers in apartheid South Africa crossed over to the then Southern Rhodesia. At present the number of Zimbabweans of Indian origin, who are predominantly from the province of Gujarat, is estimated at about 9,000. The community has formed societies on religious lines, though they live in harmony. This PIO community has mainly engaged itself in retail trade or export-import business, while the younger generations have mostly moved out of the country for better opportunities as professionals. A few hundred PIOs hold British/Australian passports.
As regards the expatriate Indian community, their number is 500. Some of them are on long term business/work permits while most are professionals engaged in computer software, accountancy, banking, etc.
By and large, the Indian community is well respected in Zimbabwe and has maintained cordial relations with the majority community. Senator K. G. Patel was a member of the Politburo and Central Committee of the ruling party, he died in 2011 and was given Hero’s status in 2012. Mr. Bharat Patel is a Supreme Court Judge, Justice (Retd.) Justice Ahmed Ebrahim was awarded Pravasi Bhartiya Samman in 2004.
Visits from India to Zimbabwe
1980 – Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi – to attend Independence Celebrations of Zimbabwe.
1986 – Prime Minister Shri Rajiv Gandhi to attend NAM Summit.
1989 – President Shri R. Venkataraman
1991 – Prime Minister Shri Narasimha Rao – to attend CHOGM Summit
1995 – President Dr. S. D. Sharma
1996 – Prime Minister Shri H. D. Deve Gowda for the G-15 Summit
Visits from Zimbabwe to India
1981 – President Robert Gabriel Mugabe
1983 – President Robert Gabriel Mugabe to attend CHOGM and NAM Summits
1987 – President Mugabe – Africa Fund Summit
1991 – President Mugabe – Nehru Award Presentation
1993 – President Mugabe
1994 – President Mugabe – G-15 Summit
India and Zimbabwe signed Joint Commission Agreement in January 1987. Four meetings of the Joint Commission have been held so far – first in New Delhi in April 1987; second in Harare in February 1989; third in New Delhi in October 1990 and the fourth in Harare in January 1996. No Joint Commission meeting has been held since 1996 mainly due to Zimbabwe’s economic turmoil. Dates for holding 5th JCM in Delhi are being worked out.
A SoM was held in Ministry of Commerce and Industry in New Delhi in February 2012, followed by the 2nd Joint Trade Committee meeting in Harare in March 2013.
The Air Services Agreement between India and Zimbabwe was signed on June 19, 2014 in Harare.
The frequency of visits by business delegations from Zimbabwe has gone up in the last few years and a probable turn-around in the Zimbabwean economy in the future can open up considerable opportunities for Indian companies in agro-processing, mining, telecommunications, power and pharmaceuticals. From the Indian side, a delegation each from CII and FICCI visited Zimbabwe in November 2013 and May 2014 respectively and participated in business seminars and B-2-B meetings.
Indian public sector companies like Indian Railway Construction Company (IRCON), Rail India Technical & Economic Services (RITES), Water and Power Consultancy Services (WAPCOS) and Telecommunications India Ltd. (TCIL) had a successful history of engagement with Zimbabwe.
Kirloskar and Jain Irrigation have supplied pumps and irrigation equipment. Some Indian companies are looking for investments in mining – coal, granite, gold and diamonds.
India has strong presence in pharmaceutical sector in Zimbabwe and Indian medicines are readily available in the local market. Ranbaxy and lpca Labs Ltd. have also established business relations with the Zimbabwean health sector. An Indian pharmaceutical company, “Shreya” had invested about US$ 1 million in the largest pharmaceutical company of Zimbabwe – ‘CAPS Ltd’. M/s Chadha Power of India were awarded a contract in April 2008 to refurbish four units at the Hwange Thermal Power Station near Victoria Falls.
Investments by a few other Indian companies in Zimbabwe are detailed below:
Surface Investment set up a multi-seed edible oil producing plant near Harare capable of producing 120,000 bottles of edible oil daily with an investment of nearly US$ 1.5 million.The project is a joint venture between Midex Global Pvt. Ltd., Indore and Industrial Development Corporation of Zimbabwe on 74 : 26 sharing basis.
Graffax Cotton Pvt. Ltd. – 100% foreign-owned EPZ company – has investment of US$ 2.5 million. It has one cotton-ginning plant in Sanyati and Mt. Darwin in Zimbabwe. The company has plans to install a spinning project to process 3000 tons of lint per annum into yarn and fabrics at Ardnbenny in Harare and an oil extraction/solvent plant at Mt. Darwin.
PM Electronics is exporting transformers to Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA). The company has also signed a technology transfer agreement with ZESA Enterprises – a subsidiary of ZESA – for a transformer manufacturing project in Harare.
Apollo Tyres has invested US$ 200 million in Dunlop South Africa, whose subsidiary is Dunlop Zimbabwe.
Technofab Engineering Limited, Delhi won three orders worth US$ 30 million in early 2013, for rehabilitation of water supply and sewage systems in Mutare, Harare, Chitungwiza, Kwekwe, Chegutu and Masvingo. The project is funded by Crown Agents on behalf of Ministry of Finance, Government of Zimbabwe.
Angelique International Ltd. Delhi were awarded contract for works “Emergency Power Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project” by the Government of Zimbabwe in 2013. The project is funded by European donors.
Another Indian firm Indure (Private) Ltd. was reported to have won tender worth US$ 11 million in August 2013 to rehabilitate and upgrade the ash plant at the Hwange Thermal Power Station.
Tata International acquired Blackwood Hodge (Zimbabwe) Pvt. Ltd. Co. dealing in trading and invested approx. US$ 2.5 million.
Jaguar and BEML are vying for project in Zimbabwe.
On the cultural side, Zimbabwe and India signed an agreement in 1981 which facilitated cultural exchange programmes for the years 1992 to 1994; but due lack of capacity to reciprocate on the part of Zimbabwe, cultural interaction has become somewhat unidirectional thereafter with groups visiting here largely for the Harare International Festival of Arts (HIFA).
In the last five years, a Goan folk music & dance troupe; and a classical music group led by world renowned Shujaat Hussein Khan; a Kuchipudi dance troupe led by Ms. Sailaja and an Odissi troupe led by Ms. Reela Hota, a 5-member Kathak troupe led by TV Frame, Ms Prachee S. Shah visited Zimbabwe to participate in Harare International Festival of Arts held from 1-5 May 2007. In 2008, two cultural troupes sponsored by the ICCR visited Zimbabwe – a 7-member Bhajan Group of Agnihotri Bandhu in March 2008 and a 12-member Gujarati Folk Dance Group ‘Panghat” in October 2008. A 5-member Kathak troupe led by Ms. S. Mehta participated in 2009 and a 12-member Gujarati Folk Dance Troupe led by Mr. Shivajibhai Bhoye participated at annual HIFA programme from 27 April-3 May, 2010. A 12-member Bhangra troupe, sponsored by ICCR, participated in HIFA and gave six performances in and outside Harare in May 2012. Another ICCR-sponsored Gujarati dance troupe gave around half a dozen performances in Zimbabwe in November 2012. A Rajasthani dance troupe participated in HIFA in May 2014.
A photo exhibition ‘My Land My People’ curated by Raghu Rai was also displayed in Harare. India has also been participating in international film festivals in Zimbabwe.
Three editions of Indian Food Festival were held successfully in Meikles Hotel, Harare in November 2012, October 2013 and October 2014 by the Embassy in collaboration with ITDC.
Two editions of Indian Handicrafts Exhibitions were organized by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts, India, in collaboration with Embassy in Harare in November 2012 and September-October 2013.
Indian Origin Community
The beginning of Indian presence in Zimbabwe goes back to about 1890 when Indian plantation workers in apartheid South Africa crossed over to the then Southern Rhodesia. At present the number of Zimbabweans of Indian origin, who are predominantly from the province of Gujarat, is estimated at about 9,000. The community has formed societies on religious lines, though they live in harmony. This PIO community has mainly engaged itself in retail trade or export-import business, while the younger generations have mostly moved out of the country for better opportunities as professionals. A few hundred PIOs hold British/Australian passports.
As regards the expatriate Indian community, their number is 500. Some of them are on long term business/work permits while most are professionals engaged in computer software, accountancy, banking, etc.
By and large, the Indian community is well respected in Zimbabwe and has maintained cordial relations with the majority community. Senator K. G. Patel was a member of the Politburo and Central Committee of the ruling party, he died in 2011 and was given Hero’s status in 2012. Mr. Bharat Patel is a Supreme Court Judge, Justice (Retd.) Justice Ahmed Ebrahim was awarded Pravasi Bhartiya Samman in 2004.
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