Vice President Hamid Ansari, on a weeklong tri-nation visit to Africa on Thursday announced an assistance worth 55 million USD to Malawi. Addressing a banquet gathering organized in his honour in the Malawian capital Lilongwe, Ansari said India would like to extend a Line of Credit of 50 million US Dollars for Malawi to support its development goals besides giving 4 million in grants to support Malawi’s development in agriculture, health and education sectors.<br/><br/>Vice President also announced a grant of one million USD as emergency relief for the country following the series of earthquakes that caused loss of life and property in Malawi. Mr Ansari said, the ties of friendship between India and Malawi are based on same value and commitments.<br/><br/>President of Malawi, Bingu wa Mutharika, who hosted the dinner in the honour of Ansari recalled his associations with India calling himself a product of India. The Malawi President, pursued his Graduate and Masters degrees from Delhi University and spoke fondly of Punjabi Bhangda dance. Mr Mutharika said he considerd India as his second home.<br/><br/>Ansari invited the Malawian President for a visit to India. The Malawian President also chose the occasion to seek India’s assistance in the field of hydro power generation and mining of various minerals as well as in the area of food security.<br/><br/>Minster of Labour and Employment Mr Harish Rawat, who was part of the delegation that met the Malawi President, said that the latter sought India’s cooperation in power, agriculture, pharmaceuticals and capacity building.