High Commission of India

Lilongwe, Malawi

On 25 February 2023, Shree Hindu Sewa Samaj-Lilongwe organised Tree Planting  with the support of Lilongwe Water Board.

High Commission celebrated Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2023 with members of Indian Community. During the event Prime Minister Hon’ble Shri Narendra Modi's speech at 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention inauguration was streamed.

High Commission of India celebrated Vishwa Hindi Diwas 2023 at Chancery Premises. On the occasion various competitions including Essay writing, Poetry and Speech were conducted. Members of Indian Diaspora participated at the event enthusiastically. Medals, Certificates and cash prize were given to the winners of the competitions. In his remarks, High Commissioner Mr. S. Gopalakrishnan highlighted the importance of Hindi in daily use and urged diaspora to contribute in the development of Hindi.

The 74th Republic Day of India was celebrated with enthusiasm at a ceremony held in the morning of 26 January 2023 at the High Commission of India. The programme began with floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation by the High Commissioner, Mr. S. Gopalakrishnan. High Commissioner unfurled the national flag, which was followed by singing of the National Anthem. The High Commissioner read out Hon'ble Rashtrapathi ji's address to the nation on the eve of the Republic Day. The ceremony was attended by a number of Indian nationals, diaspora members, and friends of India. 

On the occasion of the 74th Republic Day of India, High Commissioner hosted a reception at the Bingu International Convention Centre, Lilongwe. Honourable Nancy Tembo, M.P. Minister of Foreign Affairs graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour. A large number of guests including Ministers, Deputy Ministers, 2nd Deputy Speaker, Leader of Opposition, Mayor of Lilongwe and senior officials from the Government of Malawi, Heads of Missions/International Community, members of the Indian community and friends of India attended the event.

High Commission celebrated Holi, “Festival of Colours” on March 11, 2023 at the High Commission. Members of Indian diaspora and High Commission officials and their families enthusiastically celebrated Holi. 

March 17, 2023 High Commissioner met Hon. Monica Chang’anamuno, M.P., Minister of Mining and Hon. Simplex Chithyola, M.P, Minister of Trade & Industry and discussed bilateral relations.  The High Commissioner and the two Ministers agreed to enhance cooperation in the Mining sector and strengthening the existing commercial relations between India and Malawi, respectively.

In the wake of Cyclone Freddy which caused devastation and loss of precious lives, the Government of India provided emergency relief items to Malawi. The first tranche of approximate 11 tons out of total 80 tons of emergency relief assistance was handed over by the High Commissioner of India to Malawi Shri S. Gopalakrishnan to the Minister of Trade and Industry Hon. Simplex Chithyola, MP at Kamuzu International Airport on March 26, 2023. The consignment consisted of blankets, tarpaulin, baby food, emergency medicines and other items. India and Malawi enjoy longstanding, cordial and friendly relations and India has a close development partnership with Malawi. The gifting of relief materials is yet another manifestation of India’s unwavering commitment to support Malawi. Earlier, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi conveyed condolence to the bereaved families and expressed solidarity with Malawi.

Shaheed Diwas / Martyrs' Day was observed on January 30 2023 at the Chancery with one minute silence followed by floral tribute to Bapu.

An Indian couple Mr. Arun C Ashokan and Ms. Sumi has built a school in Chisasila village  in southern part of Malawi. Chisasila's school has five fully furnished classrooms and is now accredited by the Malawi government. The school, named "Kerala Block", stand tall as a mark of an Indian's determination. Read more 

MATA - TELUGU Community Celebrated UGADI at Shree Radhakrishna Temple on 25/03/2023 in Lilongwe. The celebration included cultural events by the community members. The event was attended in large number by Indian Community.

Indian Community in Malawi contributed relief items/ cash donations worth over MK 70mn to the Malawians affected by the cyclone Freddy. 

The Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2023-24 in Parliament on 1 February 2023. Union budget 2023-24 presents vision for Amrit Kaal-blue print for an empowerd and inclusive economy. Some of the highlights of the budget are as under: 

• Capital investment outlay increased by 33% to Rs. 10 lakh crore. 

• Effective capital expenditure at 4.5% of GDP. 

• Fiscal deficit estimated to be 5.9 % of GDP in be 2023-24. 

• Real GDP to grow at 7% in F.Y. 2022-23. 

• Exports to grow at 12.5% in F.Y. 2023. 

For more details Read here.

The Economic Survey 2023 was tabled by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Parliament on 31 January 2023. According to the Survey, India's GDP growth is expected to remain robust and the country will remain the fastest growing major economy in the world as it fared better in dealing with the extraordinary set of challenges the globe has faced. India's GDP growth is expected to remain robust in FY23 at 7 per cent (in real terms). This follows an 8.7 per cent growth in the previous financial year. India is third largest economy in PPP (purchasing power parity) terms, fifth largest in terms of exchange rate. Read more

The Aero India 2023, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 13, was the biggest ever since the airshow began in Bengaluru. Organised at Air Force Station, Yelahanka in a total area of around 35,000 sqm, the event was the biggest-ever till date and witnessed the participation of 98 countries. Aero India 2023 in Bengaluru opened the doors to visitors on February 16-17. While the first two days were business days with a Defence Ministers’ Conclave, a CEOs Round Table, Manthan start-up event, and Bandhan ceremony, the last two days of the airshow were open to the public with aerial displays being the highlight. The five-day Aero India 2023 concluded as aircraft and helicopters took part in one final performance before a packed house on February 17, 2023. Read more 

India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) doctors have performed the rarest of  rare surgery on the “grape-sized” heart of a 28-week foetus in a time of just 90 seconds inside the womb. Applauding doctors’ “dexterity and innovation”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared health minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya’s Twitter post, “Proud of India’s doctors for their dexterity and innovation”. In this case, a 28-year-old pregnant patient was admitted to the hospital with three previous miscarriages. After knowing about the current pregnancy and the child’s heart condition, the parents consented to the surgery. Read more 

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved 60 requests to open Special Rupee Vostro Accounts (SRVAs) of correspondent banks from 18 countries, Finance Ministry informed Lok Sabha on March 14, 2023. These countries include Botswana, Fiji, Germany, Guyana, Israel, Kenya, Malaysia, Mauritius, Myanmar, New Zealand, Oman, Russia, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Uganda, and United Kingdom. Last July, RBI allowed invoicing and payments for international trade in Indian Rupee. It put in place the arrangement to promote global trade growth with emphasis on exports from India and to support the increasing interest of the global trading community in Indian rupee (INR). A framework has been put in place by RBI and it is applicable for any partner country seeking to undertake trade with India in INR. Read more

India launched ‘Operation Dost’ to aid in search-and-rescue in Turkey and Syria following deadly earthquakes that struck on February 6 and claimed over 46,000 lives to date. Indian team establish a field hospital in Iskenderun and Hatay and were functional within a matter of hours and started receiving casualties. In the total duration of the operation the field hospital saw around 3,600 patients, and it included major and minor surgeries. After successfully running medical relief operations in quake-hit Turkey, a 99-member Army medical team that ran field hospitals returned back to India on 20 February 2023. Read more 

Voice of the Global South Summit, a unique endeavour started by the Indian government months after it assumed the G20 presidency, was organised on 12–13 January 2023. The Summit was held under the theme “Unity of Voice, Unity of Purpose” to bring together these countries to share their perspectives and priorities on a common platform. The Summit included eight Ministerial sessions in key sectors besides opening and concluding sessions at Head of State/Head of Government level.  More than 120 countries  participated in the Summit. 

Malawi joined the Health Ministers Session of the Summit themed “Cooperation to build resilient healthcare systems” on January 13, 2023. Hon. Ms. Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, M.P., Minister of Health participated in the Session and stated that through this important Summit, the developed nations will come to learn the needs and challenges of developing countries and expressed hope that this Summit will pave way for resolving the issues and put the developing countries on the same trajectory towards becoming truly “One Earth, One Family, One Future”. Apart from Malawi, the Session on Health included dignitaries from Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, Royal Government of Bhutan, Republic of Cameroon, Grenada, Republic of Guatemala, Republic of Liberia, Republic of Niger, Independent State of Samoa, Kingdom of Eswatini, Republic of Paraguay and Dominica.