India and Zimbabwe held their third Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) in Harare to review and enhance bilateral relations. The discussions covered various areas, including development partnerships, trade, digital technology, agriculture, health, defense, consular matters, and cultural exchanges.
The Indian delegation was led by Puneet R. Kundal, Additional Secretary (East and Southern Africa), while Mike Chigiji, Chief Director (Political) of Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, headed the Zimbabwean delegation. The meeting provided a platform to assess the current status of bilateral relations and explore avenues for further cooperation.
Both sides exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, including cooperation within the United Nations. The discussions highlighted existing institutional mechanisms such as the Joint Commission and the Joint Trade Committee, with a focus on sectoral cooperation in defense, agriculture, health, mines, minerals and geology, digital platforms, education, and cultural exchanges.
In a statement, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, “The 3rd Foreign Office Consultations between India and Zimbabwe were held in Harare on 6th August 2024.” The two nations agreed to hold the next Foreign Office Consultations in New Delhi at a mutually convenient date, signaling a commitment to continuing dialogue and strengthening ties.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X, emphasizing the comprehensive review of bilateral relations and the discussion on strengthening cooperation in various sectors, including development partnership, trade, digital technology, agriculture, health, defense, consular matters, and cultural exchanges.
Source: DD News
