Lilongwe, Malawi: On the second day of her visit to Malawi, President Droupadi Murmu met with President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera at the State House in Lilongwe, where the two leaders engaged in fruitful discussions aimed at deepening the bilateral relationship between India and Malawi.
During this significant meeting, President Murmu witnessed the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering crucial areas such as Arts and Culture, Youth Matters, Sports, and Pharmaceutical cooperation. In a gesture of goodwill, she also oversaw the symbolic handing over of 1,000 MT of rice as humanitarian assistance from India to Malawi, alongside the transfer of a Bhabhatron cancer treatment machine to aid in the fight against cancer.
In her commitment to enhancing healthcare in Malawi, President Murmu announced the Indian government’s support in establishing a permanent Artificial Limb Fitment Centre (Jaipur Foot) in the country, further underscoring India’s dedication to the welfare of the Malawian people.
Earlier in the day, President Murmu paid homage to those who served the nation by visiting the National War Memorial in Lilongwe, where she laid a floral tribute to the soldiers and civilians who sacrificed their lives during the First and Second World Wars and other military operations. She also laid a wreath at the Kamuzu Mausoleum, the resting place of Malawi’s first President, Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda.
On the evening of October 17, the President addressed members of the Indian community in Malawi during a reception hosted by the High Commissioner of India to Malawi. In her address, she emphasized India’s commitment to its partnership with Africa, grounded in mutual trust, equality, and mutual benefit. She highlighted the main pillars of cooperation between India and Africa, which include development partnership, capacity building, trade and economic cooperation, defence and security, and people-to-people contacts.
President Murmu noted India’s pivotal role in advocating for the African Union as a permanent member of the G20, reaffirming India’s position as a leading member of the Global South and its commitment to sharing experiences and capabilities with fellow Global South nations.
She also called on the Indian diaspora to actively participate in India’s transformational journey and contribute to its development agenda.
Looking ahead, President Murmu is scheduled to perform Arati and Puja at the Shree Radha Krishna Mandir in Lilongwe and visit Lake Malawi tomorrow, October 19, before concluding her three-nation state visits to Algeria, Mauritania, and Malawi and returning to New Delhi.
