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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 HARARE 000019 
 
SIPDIS 
 
AF/S FOR BRIAN WALCH 
NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR MICHELLE GAVIN 
NEW DELHI FOR POLITICAL OFFICER 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/14/2020 
TAGS: PREL PGOV ZI IN
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S COURTESY CALL WITH INDIAN AMBASSADOR 
TO ZIMBABWE 
 
Classified By: AMBASSADOR CHARLES A. RAY FOR REASONS 1.4 d 
 
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SUMMARY 
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¶1.  (C) In a meeting  on January 13, Indian ambassador to 
Zimbabwe Ashok Venkatesan told the Ambassador that India has 
had a relationship with Robert Mugabe and ZANU-PF that dates 
to the independence struggle, and Mugabe had a personal 
relationship with Indira Gandhi.  The GOI takes a neutral 
stance toward the parties now, however, and there has not 
been a ministerial-level visit to Harare since 1993.  Until 
the political situation improves, there is not likely to be 
one.  Venkatesan concentrates his efforts on keeping 
Zimbabwe-India business relationships smooth.  END SUMMARY. 
 
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INDIAN POLICY, NEUTRAL - BUT . . . 
---------------------------------- 
 
¶2.  (C) The Ambassador met with Indian Ambassador Ashok 
Venkatesan on January 13 at the Indian Embassy in Harare. 
Venkatesan has been at post for just over one year.  He said 
that India has had a relationship with Robert Mugabe and 
ZANU-PF since before 1980 during the war for independence. 
The Indian Government's current policy is to remain neutral 
in the afairs of Zimbabwe, not publicly supporting or 
criticizing either party.  He pointed out, though, that there 
has been no ministerial-level visit to Harare from India 
since 1993, and until the political situation improves there 
is not likely to be one.  He has not even been able to get 
Delhi to agree to a visit from the Vice-Ministerial level, 
even as India provides support for some IT and other projects. 
 
¶3.  (SBU) India's view is that business is business, and 
while business interests here are minimal, he tries to keep 
the business cooperation smooth.  The ethnic Indian community 
here has fallen from nearly 15,000 to between 5 - 6,000, 
mainly the very old and the very young.  Indians in the 20-40 
age range have largely emigrated to Canada, Europe, the U.S., 
and South Africa, and have no plans to return.  The Indian 
expatriate community of around 500 is engaged in only a few 
businesses, the primary one being a cotton factory that 
provides inputs to cotton farmers, buys their crop, and then 
produces cotton fiber and cottonseed oil for sale.  During 
2006-2008, the oil production facility was subject to 
excessive government intervention, with the GOZ demanding 
that it sell its production locally at artificially low and 
unprofitable prices. 
 
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NO SHONA CULTURAL IDENTITY 
------------------------- 
 
¶4.  (C) Venkatesan described Mugabe and the dominant Shona of 
Zimbabwe as transplants to this land, like the jacaranda 
tree, an import from South America that has become pervasive 
- similar to kudzu and armadillos in the southern United 
States.  They have no real traditional cultural roots.  He 
also said that the people here, like the tree, are extremely 
quiescent and undemanding.  He said he wonders if Mugabe ever 
gives any consideration to his legacy, and whether or not he 
Qgives any consideration to his legacy, and whether or not he 
wants what is best for the country.  But, he added, the lack 
of cultural roots causes some irrational behavior; with many 
in ZANU-PF saying that they are the bright jewels of the 
region and should be respected for it - "the most beautiful 
bride at the wedding," apparently unaware of how outsiders 
view them. 
 
¶5.  (SBU) COMMENT:  Venkatesan noted that Zimbabweans don't 
even know the true origins of the ruins at the Great 
 
HARARE 00000019  002 OF 002 
 
 
Zimbabwe, which were here when the Shona entered from East 
Africa and settled on land that was essentially vacant.  An 
interesting twist on ZANU-PF's view of truth; there have been 
some articles claiming that the ruins were built by Mugabe's 
ancestors - with total disregard to the fact that most of the 
people here know it to be a blatant falsehood.  END COMMENT. 
 
RAY