PM Modi congratulates Zambia’s Hichilema on re-election, vows to strengthen ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday congratulated Hakainde Hichilema on being reelected as the President of Zambia expressing Indiarsquos commitment to further strengthening its longstanding relationship with the African nationIn a message posted on X Modi described Indiarsquos partnership with Zambia as multifaceted and said he looked forward to working with Hichilema during his renewed term in officeModi said India attaches considerable importance to its relationship with Zambia and expressed confidence that bilateral ties would continue to expand under Hichilemarsquos leadershipHichilema secures second termThe Electoral Commission of Zambia ECZ announced Hichilemarsquos victory on Tuesday following the completion of the presidential election processECZ Chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis formally announced the results at the National Election Results Centre in Lusaka confirming Hichilema as the winning candidateHichilema contested the election as the candidate of the ruling United Party for National Development UPNDAccording to figures released by the electoral body he secured more than 29 million valid votes taking his tally beyond the threshold required under Zambiarsquos Constitution for a firstround presidential victoryZambiarsquos electoral system requires a presidential candidate to secure more than 50 per cent of the votes cast to win the presidency without a second roundAlthough the counting process had not been completed in a small number of constituencies when the result was announced the ECZ said the outstanding figures could not change the overall outcomeHichilema therefore secured the presidency without the need for a runoff electionThe counting process had faced a temporary disruption after reports of violence targeting election officials and incidents involving the theft of ballot materials at some polling locationsElectoral operations resumed after law enforcement agencies restored order according to reportsHichilema first became president in 2021Hichilema first assumed office in August 2021 after defeating his political rival in a closely watched presidential electionHis reelection now gives him another term to pursue his political and economic agenda in ZambiaThe latest election also marks the continuation of his leadership of the country as Zambia works to address economic challenges and strengthen its international partnershipsIndia and Zambia share longstanding tiesIndia and Zambia have maintained friendly and longstanding diplomatic relations spanning more than six decadesAccording to the Ministry of External Affairs India established diplomatic relations with Zambia soon after the African country gained independence in 1964Since then successive governments in Lusaka have maintained close engagement with New Delhi with both countries cooperating across areas including development trade education and capacity buildingIndia has consistently regarded Zambia as an important partner in Africa while Zambia has also valued Indias development assistance and technical cooperationPmPM Modi signals focus on stronger partnershipModirsquos message following Hichilemarsquos reelection underlined New Delhirsquos intention to continue deepening the relationshipThe Prime Minister said India greatly values its partnership with Zambia and expressed his willingness to work with Hichilema to take bilateral relations forwardThe two countriesrsquo relationship is based on mutual respect and cooperation with development partnership forming an important component of their engagementHichilemarsquos renewed mandate is expected to provide an opportunity for India and Zambia to build further on their existing cooperation and explore new areas of collaborationWith inputs from ANI