2007 RE-OPENING OF MALAWI'S DIPLOMATIC MISSION IN NEW DELHI UNDER PRESIDENT BINGU WA- MUTHALIKA: DISCUSSING THE CRITICAL JUNCTURES

Abstract

Malawi and India improved their bilateral ties during the presidency of Bingu wa Muthalika that run from 2004 to 2012. Thus in 2007 Malawi opened its resident mission in New Delhi, followed by the re-opening of India's diplomatic mission in Lilongwe in 2012. Several critical junctures pushed Bingu wa Muthalika, president of Malawi then, to resurrect diplomatic engagement with India. The notable critical junctures being the lust for accelerated economic growth and the weaning off of trust by the western traditional donors due to registered human rights violations that engulfed his regime. Bingu chose India for the enhanced relations because India had allowing principles of foreign policy that included policy of non-intrusion and policy of solidarity with the third world countries, which looked welcoming to Bingu's interests and desires. Needless to say, Bingu's strategic interest with India was that of aid to finance flagship developmental projects for his political survival and legacy, the same way the first president of Malawi, Kamuzu Banda manoeuvred by benefiting economically from the apartheid South Africa and Israel. The study used library research, employing secondary data sources in form of journal articles, books, newspapers and You Tube videos to collect content for analysis. Individual level of analysis in International Relations was favoured to adequately examine the character of Bingu wa Muthalika.