Press Release

Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Day (ITEC Day 2021) was celebrated today at the High Commission of India, Lilongwe. The celebration was graced by Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Eisenhower Nduwa Mkaka as Chief Guest. This year ITEC Day celebration was significant as it is being celebrated as part of 75th anniversary of India’s independence-‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’. The celebration was attended by ITEC alumni (both Civilian and Defence) and Senior Government officials of the Government of Malawi.

The ITEC programme which started in 1964 is an important cooperation programme of the Government of India for delivering technical assistance, technology transfer and capacity building for our developing country partners. India offers 300 short-term, medium-term and long-term courses every year in a wide and diverse range of skills and disciplines through over 50 empanelled institutions. Every year more than 15,000 training slots are offered under ITEC programme in various fields to more than 160 partner countries including Malawi. Since 2007, over 800 Malawian nationals have availed training in India under the ITEC programme. Under ITEC, 20 rural women from Malawi have also been trained as solar engineers and these solar mamas have installed solar panels and providing electricity to over 200 houses and number of schools in Dedza, Salima and Dowa. India has also been offering e-ITEC short online training through webinars on COVID-19 Management Strategies to Africa including Malawi.

India’s relations with partner countries are based on the principles of equality, mutual respect for sovereignty and freedom of action and choice. It is not based on competition, conditionalities or prescriptions. It stems from the spirit of solidarity to enhance mutual learning for shared and sustainable growth.

India and Malawi enjoys longstanding, cordial and friendly relations. India is a close developmental partner of Malawi, and remains committed to assist Malawi in its socio-economic developmental efforts through providing capacity building training, grants and Line of Credit etc.