India commits to support Malawi amid Covid-19
Indian High Commissioner Anurag Bhushan says the Indian Government has pledged to continue supporting Malawi in its developmental agenda.
Speaking on Saturday during the Indian Independence Day celebration at the Indian Embassy in Lilongwe, the envoy expressed satisfaction with the relationship between Malawi and India and said India is committed to helping Malawi achieve its developmental goals.
He said already, India has embarked on a number of projects that have been completed and are benefiting Malawi.
Said Bhushan: “I am happy to state that recently, the Government of India through Exim Bank, has extended a fresh line of credit worth $215.68 million for drinking water projects in Malawi.
“In addition, India has recently also gifted 10 Indian-made ambulances, 100 000 secondary textbooks and essential medicines worth $2 million.”
He also mentioned other development projects that have been completed under Government of India assistance such as the Salima Sugar Factory, Fuel Storage Tank project, cotton ginneries, and the Mulanje-Blantyre Water Supply Project.
Despite India being heavily affected by Covid-19 pandemic, Bhushan said his country is doing all it can to support other countries, including Malawi in fighting the pandemic and to embark on other developments.
“Amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, Prime Minister [Navendra] Modi is keeping regular contact with world leaders to discuss ways to fight the pandemic. India has emerged as a reliable partner in the global supply chain with India supplying Covid-related medicines and medical equipment to over 150 countries, including Malawi where India gifted $2 million worth of medicines on July 23 this year,” he said.
Bhushan also commended the Indian community in Malawi for contributing to the development of the country’s economy and society.
Indian President Ram Nath Kovind, in a statement addressing Indians across the globe, said human collaboration is key to fighting the pandemic and saving lives.
He said the pandemic has helped the global community to fight a common goal and that should be nurtured by everyone.
India, with a population of about 1.4 billion, has registered about 2.3 million Covid-19 cases with about 1.6 million recoveries and 49 000 deaths.
In Malawi, about 157 lives have been lost and over 5 000 cases have been registered. The pandemic has affected economies of both countries and leaders are doing all they can to ensure lives are saved and developments do not continue to suffer.
