Republic Day is a very important occasion in the history of our country, as it was on this very day in 1950 that the Constitution of India came into effect and India became a Republic.
The Indian Constitution embodies the principles of equitable development, democracy, pluralism, secularism and principles of natural justice, for which the country stands for. Indians today are proud to be citizens of the largest, most diverse and vibrant democracy in the world.
India is in a period of exciting transition. A nation constituting one-sixth of Humanity, is undergoing economic and social transformation on an extraordinary scale and more remarkably, it is taking place in a democratic and federal framework. During the last 79 years, India has made many exemplary achievements in various fields. This year, India takes over the Chairship of BRICS with a theme of humanity in international relations.
Today, India is among the world’s fastest-growing major economies and as per IMF’s World Economic Outlook Report of April 2025, India with a GDP of USD 4.18 trillion has become the world’s fourth-largest economy. India’s GDP is projected to be at USD 7.3 trillion by 2030.
In 2025, India's digital sector reached several historic milestones, primarily driven by the exponential growth of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and the expansion of the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). The year 2025 was a landmark period for UPI, characterized by record-breaking transaction volumes and values. UPI processed over 228 billion transactions in 2025 which represents a 32.5% increase in volume and a 21% increase in value compared to 2024.
India significantly advanced its global standing in science and technology, moving to the 38th position in the Global Innovation Index 2025 and maintaining its rank as 3rd globally in research publications.
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2025 was designated the "Gaganyaan year", featuring critical uncrewed orbital tests and hardware readiness for the "Vyommitra" humanoid payload. Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla completed an 18-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS) in July 2025, conducting experiments on human adaptation to microgravity. India and NASA prepared for the launch of the NISAR Earth-observation satellite.
In December 2025, India unveiled DHRUV64, its first fully indigenous 64-bit dual-core microprocessor, alongside the Vikram 3201 chip for space applications. India launched QpiAI-Indus, a 25-qubit superconducting quantum computer, and later the Kaveri processor, a 64-qubit quantum chip. India launched its first indigenous CRISPR-based gene therapy for sickle cell disease, following screening of over 2 million individuals in tribal regions. The National Supercomputing Mission (NSM) achieved an aggregate power of 40 petaflops across a grid of 37 high-performance systems.
In 2025, India's medical landscape is defined by the commercialization of indigenous health technologies and a rapid shift toward an AI-integrated, digital-first healthcare system. In September 2025, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) licensed nine breakthrough technologies to industry partners. AI-Powered Diagnostics, Precision Surgery, Affordable Prosthetics are among areas that have further accelerated and mainstreamed in health care sector. The Indian medical device market is projected to reach $50 billion by 2025 and India is strengthening its position as a "global healthcare hub" with the introduction of visa-on-arrival facilities for medical tourists from various countries.
In sports, for the first time in history, both the men’s and women’s national teams secured major titles in the same year. The men's team won the ICC Champions Trophy in March, and the women's team won the Women's Cricket World Cup for the first time in November 2025. India's women's team also won the Women's Blind T20 World Cup.
As India and Zimbabwe mark the 46 years of establishment of diplomatic relations, it is an opportune time to celebrate political linkages between our two countries. I am glad to say that India was an active supporter of Zimbabwe’s struggle for liberation.
Zimbabwe has been a great civilization and we celebrate our linkages with Zimbabwe that dates back to the era of the Munhumutapa Kingdom. Indian merchants established strong links with Zimbabwe, trading in textiles, minerals and metals. Sons of the royal house of Munhumutapa journeyed to India to broaden their education. In the 17th century, a great son of Zimbabwe, Dom Miguel – Prince, Priest and Professor, and heir to the imperial throne of the Mutapas – studied in Goa. An inscribed pillar stands today at a Chapel in Goa, a tribute to his intellectual stature.
Today our historical links and strong political relations are poised to turn into robust economic relations. Indian investments from private sector are reaching new heights and it is estimated worth US$ 600 million. They directly and indirectly provide employment to some 15,000 people. Number of Indian companies and professionals are also on the rise. I am confident that Indian business sector will be an important contributor in restructuring of Zimbabwe’s economy.
India appreciates official participation of Zimbabwe at the India-Africa Business Conclave which was organised in August 2025 in New Delhi. Zimbabwe’s delegation was led by Hon Vice President Gen (Rtrd.) Dr. CGDN Chiwenga. He also chaired Zimbabwe-India Investors Meet in Delhi. Zimbabwean delegation led by Deputy Minister of Agriculture Hon Davis Marapira, participated at World Food India 2025 in October 2025. Deputy Minister for Industry & Commerce Mr. Rajesh Kumar Modi participated at various business seminars in India including the Saurashtra Vepar Udyog Mahamandal (SVUM)-2026 in January 2026.
Indian delegation led by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) participated at the ZITF-2025 at Bulawayo and organised India-Zimbabwe Business Seminar in collaboration with ZIDA and ZimTrade. FICCI also signed MoU with ZimTrade and CZI to institutionalise interactions between businesses of two countries.
Zimbabwe has been India’s valued partner in issues of mutual concerns at various international fora including in the United Nations. Our two countries have been strong supporters of South-South Cooperation Framework and our bilateral relations have reflected strong bonding between the peoples of our countries. Zimbabwe is valued partner in International Solar Alliance. Recently, India and Zimbabwe have extended reciprocal support to each other for their campaign for non-permanent membership to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). This support reflects our long and historical understanding and firm believe in global peace and liberal world order. India also appreciates Zimbabwe’s participation at the Voice of Global South, an India-led initiative.
The last year has been an important year in terms of strengthening bilateral relations. In February 2025, Hon Defence Minister of Zimbabwe Ms Oppah Muchinguri Kashiri visited India and our two nations signed an MoU to explore bilateral cooperation in Defence Sector.
We had an important visit in June 2025 from India by Honourable Minister of State for External Affairs Mr Kirti Vardhan Singh. He held meetings with Hon. Amon Murvira, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and also with Hon. Ms Evelyn Ndlovu, Minister for Wild Life, Environment & Climate Change. Mr. Singh also paid a courtesy on H.E. President Dr. Emmerson D. Mnangagwa.
India’s Cabinet Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Mr. Bhupender Yadav visited Zimbabwe in July 2025 leading Indian official delegation to the 15th CoP Meeting of Ramsar Convention. India congratulates Zimbabwe for taking over the Chairship of Ramsar Convention. On the other hand, India has launched International Big Cat Alliance to protect natural habitats of identified big cats. I am sure that our two countries could further benefit from experience sharing in the field of environment, climate change and preservation of wild life and their habitats.
Zimbabwe is culturally-rich country and India celebrates strong people-to-people contacts between our peoples through culture, commerce, tourism and other such platforms. One of the aspects which I would like to highlight, is the education sector, Indian Universities and Colleges are emerging as top destination for Zimbabwean Youth. It is estimated that more than 5,000 students are pursuing their higher and technical education in India.
To promote further cultural linkages, Embassy of India in Harare organised various cultural events with enthusiastic participation of our Zimbabwean friends. We organised various Yoga events and medical camps in Zimbabwe to celebrate International Day of Yoga. Major events were held with local partnership at Vic Falls, Bulawayo, Mutare, Chitungwiza and Harare. Embassy presented Indian folk-dance performances at various Zimbabwean cities in the month of September 2025.
Hon. Emily Jesaya, Deputy Minister for Culture, Arts, Sports and Recreation officially launched the folk-dance performances with her gracious presence in Harare. In October 2025, Embassy screened a film to showcase rich Indian traditions to our Zimbabwean friends.
Presently, the Embassy is presenting a week-long Classica\l Dance Presentations in various cities of Zimbabwe. A cultural troupe sponsored by Indian Council for Cultural Relation (ICCR), an autonomous body under Ministry of External Affairs from International Center for kathakali has already performed in Vic Falls and Bulawayo. They will also perform in Chitunguiza and Mutare besides Harare.
Bramha Kumar, is the Ambassador of the Republic of India to Zimbabwe. He was speaking at the 77th Republic Day celebrations of India in Harare at a local hotel.