Malawi–Zambia relations to cooperate in the development of the Shire Zambezi Waterway, to allow for the transportation of goods in the area, and promote trade. It would benefit Malawi and Zambia by reducing the transportation costs since they are landlocked. Malawi–Zambia relations Malawi and Zambia have had a close history for a long time. They share common values, history, language, culture, and border. They were one country, along with Zimbabwe, under the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. Malawi has a large Zambian diaspora and Zambia has a large Malawian diaspora. Both countries are members of the Commonwealth of Nations. This agreement was
Russia–Zambia relations state visits in 1974 and 1987. Relations between the two countries soured in 1976, when Kaunda said on the Soviet and Cuban presence in Angola, "(t)hey drove colonialism and fascism out the front door, only to let a plundering tiger and its cubs in the back door." Soviet support for the Zimbabwe African People's Union, which operated primarily out of Zambia, helped to stop relations from detiorating further, and ties became warmer after Abel Muzorewa, the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe Rhodesia launched airstrikes inside Zambia in 1979. After the strikes, Zambia unsuccessfully sought Western military aid, which saw Zambia turning