MEA – ThePrint – ANIFeed

New Delhi (India), August 9 (ANI): India and Zambia held the Fourth Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) in Lusaka and held discussions on various sectors of cooperation, including defence and health, the Ministry of External Affairs said.

The FOC meeting was held on Thursday and the Indian side was led by Puneet R. Kundal, Additional Secretary (East and Southern Africa) and the Zambian side was led by Etambuyu Anamela Gundersen, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

“During the FOC, both delegations reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations between the two countries, including institutional mechanisms, scholarships, training and capacity building, higher education cooperation, and trade and economic relations,” the MEA said in an official press release.

Discussions were also held on cooperation in sectors such as defence, healthcare, agriculture, mining and mineral resources, and small and medium-sized enterprises.

According to the MEA, the FOC also discussed issues of digital platforms, consular issues, cultural exchanges, etc.

“Both sides expressed satisfaction with the existing bilateral relations and noted the need to further strengthen them. Discussions were also held on regional and international issues of mutual interest, including cooperation in multilateral fora such as the UN,” the statement added.

The discussions were an opportunity for both sides to assess the current state of bilateral relations and seek ways to further strengthen them.

Both India and Zambia have agreed to hold the next FOC in New Delhi at a mutually convenient date. (ANI)

This report is generated automatically by ANI news service. ThePrint is not responsible for its content.