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Elita Chikwati : Senior Reporter

Indian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Rungsung Masakui, yesterday paid a courtesy call on Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko at his Zanu-PF headquarters office in Harare where discussions centred on bilateral issues. Briefing journalists after the meeting, Ambassador Masakui said the two parties discussed how Zimbabwe could benefit from India in terms of mineral processing.India has world class minerals beneficiation facilities.

“We discussed how we could strengthen our relations and several areas of interest. Zimbabwe and India have a good bilateral relationship dating back before the independence of Zimbabwe.

“For so many centuries people to people relationships have always been there between the two countries. I discussed with VP Mphoko on how India could assist Zimbabwe process its minerals through making jewellery.

“I have come here with the commitment to take the relationship of these two countries forward. Our special focus will be on the Small and Medium Enterprises, the health sector and agriculture among others,” he said.

Ambassador Masakui said he was pleased that he went to the same church with VP Mphoko.

“We both go to Seventh Day Adventist and we are going to work together well and even at church,” he said.

India is an old friend of Zimbabwe.

India was active during the Commonwealth meetings and even at Independence when the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi came to Zimbabwe.