India & Zimbabwe reaffirm commitment to deepen bilateral defence cooperation during inaugural JDC meeting

The inaugural meeting of India-Zimbabwe Joint Defence Committee (JDC) took place in New Delhi on June 04, 2026. Both sides agreed to enhance bilateral defence ties by expanding existing cooperation in areas such as training, support and maintenance of common air assets. They also discussed ways to collaborate in new areas including joint manufacturing, counter-terrorism, border management and peacekeeping. 

The meeting was co-chaired by Joint Secretary Shri Amitabh Prasad from the Indian side and Permanent Secretary, Zimbabwe Mr Aaron Daniel Tonde Nhepera, who is leading a 12-member high-level delegation on a two-day visit to India. The Indian delegation comprised representatives from the Services, Department of Defence Production and Armed Forces Medical Services.

India and Zimbabwe share a steadily deepening defence partnership. The first JDC meeting has further reinforced the ties by operationalising the objectives laid down in the MoU on Defence Cooperation signed by the Defence Ministers of both the countries on the sidelines of Aero India 2025.

The delegation from Zimbabwe also visited the DPSU Bhawan in New Delhi, where they discussed potential areas of mutual cooperation with representatives from the Indian defence industry. Mr Aaron Daniel Tonde Nhepera commenced his visit by laying a wreath and paying homage to the fallen heroes at the National War Memorial, New Delhi.