The India SADC meeting was held in Chennai on 12th May 2023 to strengthen

 *The  India SADC meeting was held in Chennai on 12th May 2023 to strengthen the relationship between India and  various countries of the SADC countries.*

A meeting to strengthen trade and cultural ties between India and Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries was held at the Accord Metropolitan Hotel, Chennai.

The President of the Indian Economic and Trade Organization Asif Iqbal, Trade Commissioner of India African Union Trade Council  Shahul Hamid, High Commissioner Republic of Malawi to India H.E.Leonard Mengezi, High Commission of the Kingdom of Lesotho Charge D'Affairs Thabang Linus Kholumo, Honourable Consul of Myanmar in Tamil Nadu Ranganathan and others  were present during the event which projected the relationship  between these countries.

 High Commissioner Republic of Malawi to India H.E.Leonard Mengezi  noted that India-Malawi relations date back to the 18th century. He also recalled former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's participation in Malawi's Independence Day celebrations in 1964. H.E.Mengazi noted that Malawi's leaders received higher education in India, UN. He said that the Republic of Malawi supports India's candidacy for the Security Council. In his speech, he mentioned that the Government of India also issued line of credit for 163 million dollars to Malawi, which is helping in sectors like petroleum and sugar processing in Malawi. He also said that if businesses are established in Malawi from India, they are allowed to export from there to America, and arrangements have been made for Malawians to get training in India through various MoUs.

The President of the Indian Economic and Trade Organization Asif Iqbal,  said that the business culture meeting was well conducted and the purpose of the meeting was fulfilled.. There is a huge interest in India for Lesotho, a country with great scope for bilateral trading opportunities in MSME, Pharma and Manufacturing sector. This will also be useful for identifying business partners, collaborations, alliances, setting up industrial units, display Indian products and services and other related business activities as well as taking up issues to concerned authorities.

 The goal is to build bilateral relations reach new heights between India and the Kingdom of Lesotho . The focus will be on deepening and diversifying the relationship by identifying new synergetic areas for cooperation and collaboration”,  and the high commissioner also invite the indian Delegation in July