First round of Foreign Office Consultations with Zimbabwe and 2nd of Foreign Office Consultations with Zambia were held on March 20 and March 24, 2017 respectively. Joint Secretary (E&SA), Dr. Neena Malhotra led the Indian side while the Zimbabwean side was led by Ambassador Jonathan Wutawunashe and the Zambian side was led by Ambassador Mr. Chalwe Lombe, Permanent Secretary in the Zambian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed entire gamut of issues including high-level political exchanges, development cooperation programmes, projects under IAFS mechanism, discussion on international forums, cooperation in the multilateral forums and trade, economic and commercial matters. Both sides also exchanged views on issues of regional and global importance while acknowledging the commonality of positions on matters of reform of international institutions and cooperation in regional grouping.

The Foreign Office Consultations were held in a spirit of cordiality and have underscored the India-Zimbabwe and India-Zambia relationships. The Foreign Office Consultations have also enabled to lay a roadmap for further enhanced cooperation in view of India’s outreach to Africa post the IAFS-III Summit.