18 May 2018

Ambassador designate of Angola, Ms Beatriz Antonia Manuel De Morais and High Commissioner designate of India, Dr Rajesh Ranjan presented their letters of credence to President Mokgweetsi Masisi.

The duo, who were at the Office of the President yesterday morning, introduced themselves to the President as representative of their respective countries to Botswana.

Dr Ranjan stated shortly after meeting President Masisi that India and Botswana had a long standing, close and multi-faceted relationship.

He said India’s cooperation with Botswana was based on training, capacity building, trade and investment as well as transfer of technology and experience sharing.

He added that the two countries shared a rich history and a set of values of democracy, pluralism and the rule of law that encouraged natural friendship between the two nations.

“Our mutually beneficial partnership, driven by our common interests, is a perfect example of South-South Cooperation.

The bilateral partnership with Botswana is important for the attainment of our developmental goals, as well as our regional and global aspirations,” explained Dr Ranjan.

He said cooperation between the two countries had intensified over the past few years in areas such as development, defence, trade, health and agriculture.

“The realisation of the full potential of our cooperation is not just in our shared interests, but also a key to ensuring peace, security and prosperity for the world,” he added.

Ms Manuel De Marais said political and diplomatic relations between Angola and Botswana, which date back to 1976, were excellent.

She however said cooperation between the two countries had become lethargic compared to the early days of relations and could therefore be improved.

“Over the years, cooperation between the two countries has experienced a degree of lethargy, both relating only to the multilateral framework at the level of the Southern African Development Community, the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area and the Zambezi Watercourse Commission.

Parallel to this reality, there was a more or less fluid commercial activity between the two countries in the 1980s, since Botswana was one of the main suppliers of beef at the time,” said Ms Manuel De Marais.

She said the two countries were aware that they must revitalise the Joint Bilateral Commission and thus implement various agreements on agriculture, energy and water, industry, trade, hotel and tourism, geology and mining, environment, territory administration, technical and vocational training, petroleum, telecommunications and business cooperation.

She further said the General Agreement on Economic, Scientific and Technical- Cultural Cooperation installed between the two countries in February 2006 needed a new impetus.

She said Botswana was well organised at all levels, with emphasis on banking, stable currency and financial organisation and a strong economy. Ends