Indians in Zambia

Infobox Ethnic group
group = Indo-Zambians
poptime = 12,000 [http://indiandiaspora.nic.in/diasporapdf/chapter8.pdf]
popplace = Lusaka
langs = Hindi, Gujarati, English,
rels = Hinduism, Islam
related-c = Non-resident Indian and Person of Indian Origin, Desi

Adventurous Indians from Gujarat arrived in 1905 through Malawi to do business. Initial settlers were Muslims, but soon they were followed by Hindu traders.

Post independence in 1964, the government started looking to India for material and moral support, and since then the Indian community has played a meaningful roles in the Zambian economy.

There are currently 12000 Indians in Zambia, most holding Zambian citizenship. Many are in professions like banking, farming and mining. Recent arrivals includes medical and educational professionals.

Indians are active in politics too. There are always a handful of Members of Parliament of Indian origin. During the Chiluba regime, two persons of Indian origin were appointed as the Cabinet Ministers: Mr. Suresh Desai, Minister for Agriculture and Mr. Dipak Patel, Minister of Commerce & Industry. Mr. Dipak Patel continues in the same position in the Mwanawasa government.

The Mwanawasa government has been friendly towards the Indian community. The functions hosted by the Indian community e.g. Diwali, are attended by a number of Cabinet Ministers of the Mwanawasa government

See Hinduism in Zambia for more information.

References

*Zambia#Demographics
* [http://indiandiaspora.nic.in/diasporapdf/chapter8.pdf Indian Diaspora in Africa]

In addition to Suresh Desai and Dipak Patel,two other Indian origin Zambians served as Ministers in President Fredrick Chiluba Cabinet. Dr. Yusuf Badat was the Health Minister and later Minister of Commerce and Industry of Zambia till 2001 and Mr. Hamir was the Attorney General of Zambia, also a cabinet rank position