May 26: The third Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) between India and Zambia were held in New Delhi on 25 May 2023. The Indian side was led by Shri Puneet R. Kundal, Joint Secretary (East & Southern Africa) and the Zambian side was led by Amb. Isabelle M.M. Lemba, Permanent Secretary (IRC) in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Zambia.
During the FOC, both delegations reviewed the multi-faceted bilateral relationship, covering political exchanges, development partnership projects, defence cooperation, trade and economic matters, consular issues, and cooperation in areas such as Agriculture, Education, Health, Mines & Minerals, SMEs, etc. The significance of high-level visits, particularly the early convening of the Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) was emphasized. While expressing satisfaction over the existing bilateral ties, both sides agreed to diversify cooperation in various areas, to further strengthen this relationship.
Both sides also discussed UN and other multilateral issues of mutual interest, including UN Security Council reforms, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), South African Development Cooperation (SADC) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Both sides agreed to continue high-level political exchanges and regular meetings of the joint institutional mechanisms to keep the partnership vibrant and mutually beneficial.
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