New Delhi: India has sent a humanitarian shipment of 1,000 metric tonnes of rice to Malawi to help the country cope with severe food shortages caused by drought linked to the El Niño weather phenomenon. The move highlights India’s ongoing commitment to supporting countries in the Global South and strengthening South-South cooperation.
Announcing the development, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on X that the consignment was shipped from Nhava Sheva Port to assist Malawi’s efforts to address food security challenges triggered by the drought.
“India–Malawi partnership for food security. To support Malawi’s efforts following the drought caused by the El Niño effect, India has dispatched a humanitarian consignment of 1,000 metric tonnes of rice to the people of Malawi,” Jaiswal wrote, adding that the step reflects India’s continued support for partner nations.
Malawi is currently facing a severe humanitarian crisis, with more than 4 million people — nearly 20 per cent of the population — experiencing acute food shortages. The situation has led to rising malnutrition levels and forced many families to skip meals.
The crisis has been intensified by the El Niño weather pattern, which has caused irregular rainfall and contributed to the drying up of major water bodies, including Lake Chilwa. In response to the worsening situation, the Malawian government has declared a state of disaster.
India and Malawi share warm and friendly bilateral relations that have strengthened over the years through regular high-level engagements.
In October last year, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar congratulated George Chaponda on his appointment as Malawi’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and expressed hope for further strengthening ties between the two countries.
India’s relations with Malawi also received a boost in 2024 when President Droupadi Murmu paid a State visit to the African nation. During the visit, she held discussions with then Malawian President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera on expanding cooperation across various sectors.
The two sides also witnessed the signing of several Memorandums of Understanding covering areas such as arts and culture, youth affairs, sports, and pharmaceutical cooperation.
During her visit, President Murmu paid tribute at the National War Memorial in Lilongwe and laid a wreath at the Kamuzu Mausoleum, the resting place of Malawi’s first President, Hastings Kamuzu Banda.
With inputs from IANS