India, Malawi ink 3 MoUs

India and Malawi on Monday signed three Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) on extradition treaty, cooperation in the field of atomic energy for peaceful purposes and visa waiver for diplomatic and official passports.

India will also extend a new Line of Credit of USD 215 million to Malawi for 18 water projects, TS Tirumurti, Secretary (Economic Relations) in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), said.

India will also construct a Mahatma Gandhi Convention Centre in Blantyre city of Malawi. It will also gift a cancer treatment machine to the Kamuzu Central Hospital in Malawi.

In the health sector, India will assist the African nation with 10 ambulance services and essential medicines. Also, around one lakh textbooks will be given to Malawian students between Grade 8 to Grade 12. Moreover, India has also offered a specialised training programme for Malawi Defence forces.

Earlier, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu held talks with Malawi President Arthur Peter Mutharika and reaffirmed their commitment to bolster cooperation in capacity building, training, health, agriculture, energy and mineral resources.

MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar wrote on his Twitter handle, "Enhancing existing & exploring new areas of cooperation. VP @MVenkaiahNaidu met with President of #Malawi Arthur Peter Mutharika along with the delegation. Reaffirmed commitment to strengthen cooperation in capacity building, training, health, agriculture, energy & mineral resources."

The Vice President also inaugurated the first Jaipur Foot camp under "India for Humanity" initiative and handed over artificial limbs to the beneficiaries.

"Transforming lives. VP @MVenkaiahNaidu inaugurated 1st #JaipurFoot camp at #Malawi under "India for Humanity" initiative within the context of Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary. In the presence of Malawian dignitaries, VP handed over artificial limbs to the beneficiaries," Kumar tweeted.

With this, Vice President Naidu completed his bilateral engagements and departed for India, after completing a six-day visit to the Southern African countries -- Botswana, Zimbabwe and Malawi.