This article covers the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Zambia, visits by heads of state and government and ministers, parliamentary exchanges, and the institutional mechanisms through which the two governments review their cooperation. It is based on the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) bilateral brief on India and Zambia dated August 2026.

Establishment of relations

According to the MEA brief of August 2026, India established diplomatic relations with Zambia soon after Zambia's independence in 1964. The brief describes the two countries as enjoying warm and cordial relations. It states that over the last six decades India has come to be seen as a reliable partner and friend by successive Zambian leadership, and that the relationship is driven by mutual respect and based on a spirit of partnership for mutual benefit.

The brief notes that high level visits have been a feature of the relationship.

Visits from Zambia

President Dr. Kenneth Kaunda visited India more than ten times, including as a freedom fighter in 1957 and on a State visit in 1967. He also paid a private visit to India in June 2012.

Later Zambian Presidents who visited India are:

  • President Mr. Frederick Chiluba, on a State visit in October 1993
  • President Mr. Levy Mwanawasa, on a State visit in April 2003
  • President Mr. Michael Chilufya Sata, accompanied by First Lady Mrs. Christine Kaseba, on a private visit in March 2012
  • President Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, on a State visit from 20-22 August 2019

Seven MoUs were signed during President Lungu's visit in 2019, covering cooperation in areas including Defence, Mining, Health, Art & Culture and Election matters.

Vice President Mrs. Inonge M. Wina represented Zambia at the 3rd India-Africa Forum Summit in New Delhi in October 2015. She was accompanied by the Minister of Agriculture and the Deputy Ministers of Health and Foreign Affairs.

Visits from India

Indian leaders who have visited Zambia, as listed in the brief, are:

  • Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi, in 1964 (as I&B Minister), 1970 and 1976
  • President Shri V.V. Giri, on a State visit in 1974
  • President Shri Sanjiva Reddy, on a State visit in 1981
  • Prime Minister Shri Rajiv Gandhi, in 1986
  • President Shri R. Venkataraman, on a State visit in 1989
  • Vice President Shri Hamid Ansari, in January 2010
  • President Shri Ram Nath Kovind, on a State visit in April 2018

During President Kovind's State visit, he held bilateral talks on a wide range of issues with his Zambian counterpart on 11 April 2018 at State House, followed by the signing of four MoUs.

Shri G. M. Siddeshwara, Minister of State for Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, visited Zambia in July 2015 as the Prime Minister's Special Envoy, to invite the Zambian President to the 3rd India-Africa Forum Summit. Shri V. Muraleedharan, Minister of State for External Affairs, visited Zambia from 14-15 October 2019. He inaugurated the CII-EXIM Bank Southern Africa Regional Conclave in Lusaka, called on President Edgar Chagwa Lungu and met Foreign Minister Joseph Malanji.

Institutional mechanisms

The 6th Session of the India-Zambia Joint Permanent Commission (JPC), which meets at Ministerial level, took place in Lusaka on 6th November 2024. It was co-chaired on the Indian side by Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, Minister of State for External Affairs and Environment, Forest and Climate Change, who visited Zambia from 04-07 November 2024.

The brief states that the two sides undertook a comprehensive review of the entire gamut of bilateral relations at the JPC. It discussed cooperation in agriculture, education, science & technology, energy, culture, housing and urban development, finance, development partnership, training scholarship and capacity building, defence, mines and mineral resources, transport & communications, water development and sanitation, disaster management, healthcare, and cooperatives and SMEs.

The 4th round of Foreign Office Consultations was held in Lusaka on 8th August 2024. The Joint Trade Committee and the Joint Working Group on Health are covered in the trade and development articles of this guide, and parliamentary exchanges in the culture and exchanges article.