This article covers the diplomatic relationship between India and Malawi: its establishment, the history of the two countries' missions, high-level and ministerial visits, and cooperation on multilateral issues. It is based on the MEA brief of April 2026, the bilateral brief on Malawi published by India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

Establishment of relations

According to the MEA brief of April 2026, India established diplomatic relations with Malawi immediately after Malawi's independence in 1964. The brief describes the two countries as sharing "cordial and friendly bilateral relations".

India subsequently established a resident mission in Malawi. The brief states that the High Commission in Malawi was closed in 1994 for administrative reasons, although India continued to have diplomatic relations with Malawi. Malawi was then concurrently accredited to India's Mission in Zambia until February 2012, and the resident mission was re-opened in March 2012.

High-level visits

The brief lists the following visits at the level of President and Vice President:

  • Shri M. Hamid Ansari, Vice President of India, visited Malawi from 7-9 January 2010.
  • Prof. Bingu wa Mutharika, President of Malawi, visited India from 2-7 November 2010.
  • Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima, Vice President of Malawi, visited India from 25-27 March 2018 to attend the CII-EXIM Bank Conclave.
  • Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, Vice President of India, visited Malawi from 4-5 November 2018.
  • Smt. Draupadi Murmu, President of India, paid a State visit to Malawi on 17-19 October 2024.

Grants and projects announced during several of these visits are described in the development partnership article of this guide.

From India

Minister of State for External Affairs Shri V. Muraleedharan visited Malawi from 8-10 June 2022.

From Malawi

  • Mr. Francis Kasaila, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, visited India in March 2017.
  • Dr. Emmanuel Fabiano, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, visited New Delhi from 25-27 March 2018 as part of the delegation led by Vice President Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima to the CII-EXIM Bank Conclave.
  • Mrs. Monica Chang'anamuno, M.P., Minister of Defence, led a delegation to Bangalore for AERO India 2025 from 10-14 February 2025.
  • Ms. Dalitso Baloyi, Minister of Health and Sanitation, visited New Delhi for the Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine from 17-19 December 2025.
  • Mr. Sameer Suleman, Speaker of Parliament of Malawi, visited New Delhi for the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding officers of the Commonwealth from 14-18 January 2026.

Cooperation on multilateral issues

The brief states that the two countries "hold identical views on many regional, international and multilateral issues". It gives the following examples.

Reform of the UN Security Council

According to the brief, Malawi has supported expansion of the UN Security Council and agrees that its current composition and function do not reflect the realities of the international community in the 21st century. Malawi has conveyed its support to the G4 initiative of India, Brazil, Germany and Japan, but maintains that it will abide by the decision taken by the African Union (AU) on UN reform.

International Solar Alliance

Malawi was one of the early countries to sign and ratify the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Framework Agreement, in November 2017. Mr Aggrey Masi, Minister for Natural Resources, Energy and Mining, represented Malawi at the ISA Founding Conference in New Delhi on 11 March 2018. In October 2021, the ISA granted US$ 50,000 to solarise the Malawian Parliament building.

Triangular cooperation

The brief places triangular cooperation among the multilateral aspects of the relationship. India has implemented two trilateral projects in Malawi: one with the United States on food security and one with Germany on women's empowerment.

  • Under the project with the US, around 120 Malawians have been trained at MANAGE, Hyderabad.
  • Under the project with Germany, 55 Malawian women and trainers were trained. In December 2022, the first Agribusiness incubator model in Malawi for women's empowerment was set up under this cooperation.

International Big Cat Alliance

The brief records that the Government of Malawi expressed interest in signing the framework agreement of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) in March 2026.

Where other topics are covered

Trade, mining and power cooperation, including related ministerial visits, development assistance, and cultural and community links are covered in the other articles of this guide. The contact details of Malawi's High Commission in New Delhi are in the practical guide.