High Commissioner’s Speech during Reception on the occasion of 77th Republic Day of India, 26 January 2026

Good evening, Namste,  Mwaswera bwanji, 

At the outset, let me extend a very warm welcome to all of you at the celebration of the 77th Republic  day of India. My heartiest felicitations and greetings  to all of you on our Republic day.

I take this opportunity to convey my sincere thanks and profound gratitude to Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation His Excellency Dr George Chaponda for gracing the occasion as ‘’ Guest of Honour’

I also convey my heartfelt thanks to the Honourable Ministers & Deputy Ministers for their gracious presence at this occasion.

Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen

Every nation has moments that define its  future and shape its destiny. For India, 26 January is such a  moment. As India marks its 77th Republic Day today which provides 1.4 billion of Indians to  fondly remember its constitutional birth on 26 January 1950, and honouring the founding fathers of the Indian Constitution across the globe.

The Constitution of India, which came into force seventy-six years ago, transformed a newly independent nation into a sovereign, socialist, secular, and democratic republic. It laid the strong foundation for governance rooted in the rule of law and respect for pluralism. As our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi  said that “The Constitution is our guiding light - it is the very spirit of India.”

That spirit has sustained India through challenges, reforms, and reinvention, enabling its people to participate actively in shaping their collective destiny. Since gaining independence in 1947, India has traversed a remarkable journey. From the early years of nation-building to becoming a globally engaged economy, India has steadily expanded its capabilities across economic, scientific, technological, and space domains. 

Today, India is the world’s fourth-largest economy and the fastest-growing major economy, with GDP growth crossing the 7 percent mark in 2025 despite persistent global economic uncertainties. With a clear vision of Viksit Bharat - a Developed India - India is firmly on track to become the world’s third-largest economy by the end of this decade. 

Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen

India’s growing global stature is also reflected in its technological prowess and scientific achievements. The successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the south pole of the Moon in August 2023 marked a historic milestone, earning widespread admiration from the global scientific community. This achievement not only symbolised technological excellence but also the spirit of perseverance and innovation that defines modern India. The same spirit drives India’s leadership in digital transformation, where its Digital Public Infrastructure and the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) have emerged as global benchmarks for financial inclusion at scale. 

It is in this spirit of confidence and partnership that India celebrates its Republic Day in Malawi - a country with which it shares deep historical ties and a forward-looking development partnership. The relationship between India and Malawi is not new; it is anchored in history and human connection.  Our deep rooted  historical relations are based on the strong foundation of mutual trust, respect and shared values. Indians have been living in ‘’Warm Heart of Africa’’ since more than century and the people of both countries have developed deep understanding on their culture, beliefs and values.                                                          The Indian community in Malawi stands as a living bridge between the two nations. Indian expatriates and diaspora are well regarded & respected by the people of Malawi for their  hard-work and contribution in their economy. I must compliments to them for flying the Indian flag high in this nation.

Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen

The past year, 2025, marked another significant chapter in bilateral engagement, with diplomacy reaching directly to the people’s door. For the first time, ITEC Day was celebrated in the City of Mzuzu, highlighting India’s flagship capacity-building programme for Global South partners. These programmes reflect India’s belief that sustainable development begins with empowered people. India’s humanitarian commitment has also been visible and tangible. The gifting of 1,000 artificial limbs and the operationalisation of the Bhabhatron-II cancer treatment unit at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe stand as enduring symbols of India’s philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - the whole world is one family. 

Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen

India-Malawi relations have matured into a robust development partnership. Since 2009, India has extended USD 395.68 million in Lines of Credit to Malawi, supporting projects aligned with Malawi’s priorities for value addition and sustainable growth. These include the Salima Sugar Factory, water supply systems in Blantyre, fuel storage facilities in Blantyre and Mzuzu, cotton ginneries, dal processing plants, and the Business Incubation Centre in Mponella, etc. These initiatives reflect India’s demand-driven approach to development cooperation, focused on building local capacity and self-sustaining ecosystems. 

The visit of the Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu in October 2024 reaffirmed this shared vision. Both countries identified priority areas including agriculture, food processing, healthcare, digital public infrastructure, renewable energy, skill development and manufacturing – sectors, some of these sectors are central to Malawi’s ATMM strategy. 

As India celebrates its 77th Republic Day, it does so with humility and optimism. Democracy, after all, is not a finished destination but a continuous journey of participation, inclusion, and progress. In Malawi, India finds not just a partner, but a friend with whom it shares values of dignity, development, and self-reliance. 

Together, as India moves toward 2047 and Malawi toward 2063, the two nations can continue to grow side by side - linked by history, strengthened by trust, and united by a shared belief that the future is best built together.

 I Wish you all a pleasant and memorable evening 

Zikomo Kwambiri  ! Jai Hind Jai Bharat !