CULTURAL RELATIONS
BETWEEN INDIA AND MALAWI
By Tawonga Mwase-Vuma*
A
country engages in cultural relations to
improve understanding among its own
people and enable itself to be better
understood in other countries. Both India and
Malawi have engaged, and are engaging, in
cultural relations to achieve mutual exchanges
between the two countries.
The cultural relations between India and
Malawi have a long history, dating back to over
150 years when Indians fi rst came to Malawi.
Cultural relations are pivotal to the development
of long-term relationships and dialogues, trust,
mutually benefi cial transactions, and better
mutual understanding between states, people,
non-state actors and cultures.
The establishment of the diplomatic ties
between India and Malawi in 1964 made the
cultural relations between the two countries
grow even stronger. To date, about 8,000
persons of Indian origin live in the four major
cities of Malawi, namely Lilongwe, Blantyre,
Mzuzu and Zomba.
Exchange visits between India and Malawi
have been happening as a way of enhancing
relations and interactions between the states,
people and cultures. For instance, Malawi
Presidents, Ministers, Deputy Ministers and
other Government offi cials have had exchange
visits to India. India Offi cials and Delegations
have also visited Malawi, including the recent
visit to Malawi in November 2018 by the Vice
President of the Republic of India, Honourable
Shri Venkaiah Naidu.
The exchange visits have not only been
happening to strengthen the relations between
India and Malawi but also to showcase the
cultural traditions of the partner country.
In July 2015 during the visits to Malawi by
India’s Minister of Heavy Industries and
Public Enterprise Gouodara Mallikarjunappa
2019 • INDIA-MALAWI • 25