India-Zimbabwe Joint Defence Committee holds inaugural meet in New Delhi
Synopsis
India and Zimbabwe activated their Joint Defence Committee for the first time on 5 June in New Delhi, moving beyond a February 2025 MoU into structured talks on joint manufacturing, counter-terrorism, and peacekeeping. The meeting signals India's sharpening defence diplomacy across Africa, backed by a growing domestic arms industry eager for new markets.
Key Takeaways
The inaugural India-Zimbabwe Joint Defence Committee (JDC) met in New Delhi on 5 June 2025 .
Both sides agreed to expand cooperation in training , joint manufacturing , counter-terrorism , border management , and peacekeeping .
The meeting was co-chaired by Joint Secretary Amitabh Prasad (India) and Permanent Secretary Aaron Daniel Tonde Nhepera (Zimbabwe), who led a 12-member delegation.
The JDC operationalises the MoU on Defence Cooperation signed by Rajnath Singh and Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri at Aero India 2025 in February 2025 .
Zimbabwe's delegation also visited DPSU Bhawan for industry-level discussions on mutual defence cooperation.
India and Zimbabwe have agreed to significantly deepen their bilateral defence partnership, with the inaugural session of the India-Zimbabwe Joint Defence Committee (JDC) convening in New Delhi on Thursday, 5 June 2025. The meeting marked a formal operationalisation of defence cooperation commitments made earlier this year, according to the Ministry of Defence.
Key Outcomes of the JDC Meeting
Both delegations agreed to expand existing cooperation across training, support, and maintenance of common air assets. They also explored new avenues of collaboration, including joint manufacturing, counter-terrorism, border management, and peacekeeping operations, the Ministry of Defence said in an official statement.
The meeting was co-chaired by Joint Secretary Amitabh Prasad on the Indian side and Zimbabwe's Permanent Secretary Aaron Daniel Tonde Nhepera, who led a 12-member high-level delegation on a two-day visit to India. The Indian delegation included representatives from the Department of Defence Production Services and Armed Forces Medical Services.
Roots in the Aero India 2025 MoU
The JDC meeting builds on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defence Cooperation signed in February 2025, when Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Zimbabwe's Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri formalised the framework on the sidelines of Aero India 2025. The Ministry noted that the inaugural JDC session has 'further reinforced the ties by operationalising the objectives' laid down in that MoU.
This comes amid India's broader push to expand its defence diplomacy across Africa, leveraging its growing domestic defence industrial base to build strategic partnerships with nations that operate Indian-origin equipment.
Industry Engagement and Symbolic Gestures
The Zimbabwean delegation also visited DPSU Bhawan in New Delhi, where they held discussions with representatives from India's defence industry on potential areas of mutual cooperation. Permanent Secretary Nhepera commenced the visit by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial, paying homage to India's fallen soldiers.
Notably, the two countries had already taken an early step toward structured engagement when India's Ministry of Defence, in association with Zimbabwe's defence ministry and the Strategic Research and Growth Foundation (SGRF) India, organised a Maiden Mini Defence Expo and Industry Interaction on 21 March 2025.
Historical and Diplomatic Context
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India and Zimbabwe share a long history of close and cordial relations, underpinned by India's support for Zimbabwe's freedom struggle. The deepening of defence ties reflects a broader alignment of strategic interests, with Zimbabwe representing a key node in India's engagement with Southern Africa.
With the JDC framework now active, both sides are expected to convene follow-up meetings to track progress on the agreed cooperation areas and formalise joint manufacturing modalities.
Point of View
But it operates Indian-origin air assets — making it a natural entry point for maintenance contracts and, eventually, joint production. What is worth watching is whether 'joint manufacturing' moves beyond a talking point: India has signed similar MoUs with several African nations, and few have produced concrete industrial output. The inclusion of counter-terrorism and border management in the agenda also hints at a security dimension that goes beyond hardware trade, reflecting India's growing interest in shaping the security architecture of Southern Africa.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the India-Zimbabwe Joint Defence Committee (JDC)?
The India-Zimbabwe Joint Defence Committee is a bilateral forum established to implement and expand the defence cooperation framework agreed under the MoU signed by both countries in February 2025. Its inaugural meeting was held in New Delhi on 5 June 2025, covering areas such as training, joint manufacturing, counter-terrorism, and peacekeeping.
What did India and Zimbabwe agree on at the JDC meeting?
Both sides agreed to enhance bilateral defence ties by expanding existing cooperation in training, support, and maintenance of common air assets. They also identified new collaboration areas including joint manufacturing, counter-terrorism, border management, and peacekeeping operations.
When was the India-Zimbabwe defence MoU signed?
The MoU on Defence Cooperation was signed in February 2025, when Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Zimbabwe's Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri formalised the agreement on the sidelines of Aero India 2025.
Who led the Zimbabwean delegation at the JDC meeting?
Zimbabwe's Permanent Secretary Aaron Daniel Tonde Nhepera led a 12-member high-level delegation on a two-day visit to India. He co-chaired the JDC meeting alongside India's Joint Secretary Amitabh Prasad.
What is the broader significance of India-Zimbabwe defence cooperation?
The partnership reflects India's wider strategy of deepening defence ties across Africa by leveraging its expanding domestic defence industry. Zimbabwe operates Indian-origin air assets, making it a natural partner for maintenance, training, and potentially joint manufacturing arrangements.
