23 Aug 2016

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Slumber Tsogwane has said India remains one of Botswana's strategic partners in her  development efforts.

He said their shared democratic values and close collaboration at the bilateral and multilateral fora have further strengthened this strategic partnership and said since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1966, the scope of the bilateral cooperation between Botswana and India has continued to expand to include a wide range of issues, which are critical for the development endeavors.

Speaking at a welcome reception of Indian Minister of Tribal Affairs, Mr Shri Jual Oram on Monday in Gaborone, Mr Tsogwane said to further cement the friendly relations between the two countries have concluded several bilateral agreements which have created opportunities for deepening collaboration between the two countries.

He said Botswana continues to host a good number of Indian nationals, who have made a significant contribution to Botswana's socio-economic development efforts over the last 50 years and still continue to do so.

Minister Tsogwane said they forward to the next 50 years of flourishing relationships between the people of Botswana and India, based on mutual respect and a common vision of improving the living standards of its people.

For his part Mr Oram said relations between India and Botswana have been friendly and cordial cooperation in the human resource development through technical assistance in the form of training Botswana nationals in various fields like education, ICT management skills among others.

He said the government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has placed the rapidly expanding partnership in the context of interlinked resurgence of India and Africa.

Mr Oram said the Prime Minister unveiled US$10 billion additional lines of credit and grant assistance of US$600 to Africa for host of development projects over the next five years and said the grant will include an India-Africa health fund of US$10 million. Ends