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Zambia becomes first African country to react on India-Pak tensions, calls Kashmir bilateral issue 

WION
New Delhi, IndiaEdited By: Sparshita SaxenaUpdated: Aug 21, 2019, 11:09 PM IST
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PM Modi with Zambian president Edgar Chagwa Lungu. Photograph:(WION)

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India will provide 100 solar irrigation pumps, 1,000 tons of rice and 100 tons of milk powder to the southern African country.

Zambian President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, during his bilateral meeting with PM Modi, said that Jammu and Kashmir is a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan.

His is the first African country to react to the current India-Pakistan tensions.

President Lungu is on a 3-day visit to India. India has announced that it will be training Zambian forces. This was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the press statements during the 3-day visit of President Lungu

"To increase the capacity of Zambian armed forces, Indian military and airforce training team will be station in Zambia," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said. 

India will also provide 100 solar irrigation pumps, 1,000 tons of rice and 100 tons of milk powder to the southern African country.

Lauding India's role in his country's development, Edgar Chagwa Lungu said, "India is an important and strategic partner in Zambia's enhanced quest for socio-economic development".

Zambian President's visit is the first for any head of the state from Africa ever since PM Modi took charge of his second term this May. 

Earlier, Edgar Chagwa Lungu was honoured with the 'Guard of Honour' at Rashtrapati Bhavan and paid homage to 'father of the nation' Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.

At the visitor's book at Rajghat Lungu said, "All said and done, only acknowledging the truth about past, present and future, can set us mankind free".

President Kovind had paid a visit to the southern African country in April 2018. Bilateral trade between India and Zambia stands at $830 million dollars with India importing copper from the country. 

Zambia is the second-largest producer of copper in Africa with $5 billion investment. India is one of the leading investors in the country.