A Malawian Defence delegation, led by General Paul Valentino Phiri, visited the National Defence College in New Delhi on February 18, 2025. The visit aimed to strengthen military ties and engage with NDC faculty. Earlier, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held discussions with his Malawian counterpart on enhancing bilateral defence relations, particularly in training and capacity building. Both countries have maintained a strong diplomatic relationship since Malawi’s independence in 1964, with various educational initiatives in place.
On February 18, 2025, a delegation from Malawi, which included eight members and was led by General Paul Valentino Phiri, the Commander of the Malawi Defence Force, visited the National Defence College (NDC) in New Delhi, India. The purpose of the visit was to strengthen ties and encourage interactions at the senior military leadership level. The delegation had the opportunity to engage with the NDC faculty and took part in a familiarization tour of the college’s facilities.
Prior to the NDC visit, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had a bilateral meeting with Malawian Minister of Defence Monica Changanamuno on February 11, during the Aero India 2025 event. The leaders discussed enhancing bilateral defence relations, focusing on training, military courses, and capacity building for the Armed Forces. They also emphasized the significance of expediting the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation to advance mutual understanding and strategic interests.
India and Malawi maintain a longstanding and cordial relationship, established shortly after Malawi attained independence in 1964. Despite the closure of India’s High Commission in Malawi in 1993 for administrative reasons, diplomatic relations continued, with Malawi being accredited to the Indian Mission in Zambia until 2012. India’s resident mission in Malawi was reopened in March 2012, while Malawi established its mission in Delhi in 2007.
The Government of India provides around 40 scholarships each year for Malawian students to study in India, in addition to 130 slots annually under the ITEC Programme. Since 2008, over 800 Malawians from both government and private sectors have received training in India, including 32 officials from the Malawi Defence under the ITEC Programme and UN Peacekeeping Training since 2017.
The visit by the Malawian Defence delegation underscores the commitment of both countries to strengthen military cooperation and enhance bilateral relations. The discussions between defense ministers highlight ongoing efforts to improve capability and training among armed forces, reflecting a shared goal for strategic interests. Overall, India continues to support Malawi through educational and training initiatives, reinforcing diplomatic ties established decades ago.
Original Source: www.tribuneindia.com
