27 Mar 2017

 High Commissioner of India to Botswana, Dr Ketan Shukla says his country would continue to offer other developing countries various assistance through Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme, which was instituted in 1964.
Speaking during the occasion to celebrate ITEC Day and handover of certificates to 45 Botswana Defence Force officers on Friday night at India House in Gaborone, Dr Shukla said ITEC was essential for the development of their relations with other developing countries on the basis of partnership and cooperation for mutual benefit.
Dr Shukla also noted that it would also be a concrete indicator of their resolve to contribute to the evolution of world community based on the inter-dependence of all its members in attaining their common goal for promoting the social and economic well-being of their people.
He therefore said since the day was celebrated every year, it gave them an opportunity to get together and interact with government officials and defence personnel who had been to India and share their experiences.
The High Commissioner noted that ITEC programme was an important bilateral cooperation programme for upgrading technical assistance, technology transfer and capacity building.
He noted that Indian government allocated 90 civilian slots for 2016/17 to Botswana, adding that the increase was from 65 slots, which was nearly 40 per cent increase. He expressed optimism that  the slots would further increase to 100 during 2017/18. In the meantime, Dr Shukla said the utility and relevance of ITEC programme had been reflected in the increasing number of participants. In 2016/17, over 1 200 scholarship slots were offered under the ITEC/SCAAP programme in the 47 premier training institutions in Indian.
He nevertheless said ITEC was a demand-driven programme, therefore assistance offered under ITEC was usually in response to requests received from friendly countries and the commitments made by India’s political leadership.
Meanwhile, he said Botswana and India signed a Defence Forces agreement in 1978 by which India provided expect training. The first Indian Army Training Team came to Botswana in September 1978, as a small contingent of Signal Personnel.
Over the last few decades, defence cooperation between India and Botswana, particularly through the training contingents of Indian armed forces deputed to BDF have grown from strength to strength.
At least more than 300 officers from BDF have been trained at various institutes and it has been proposed to allocate 75 slots for the year 2017/18, which is under consideration. ITEC courses equip participants with not just professional skills, but also prepare them for an increasingly globalised world.
Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Defence, Justice and Security, Ms Segakweng Tsiane said the growth of BDF needed the support of friendly nations such as India.
She said Botswana appreciates programmes such as ITEC, which are demand-driven, response-oriented and focused on addressing many needs of developing countries through innovative technological cooperation between India and the partnering nation including military training.  ENDS