13 Nov 2025

Botswana stands tall in its commitment to peace, stability, and inclusive development, says the President of India, Ms Droupadi Murmu.

President Murmu said when addressing Members of Parliament Wednesday at the National Assembly Chamber on Wednesday.

 “The National Assembly of the Republic of Botswana is the temple of democracy of your proud nation,” she said, adding that the country’s remarkable progress from modest beginnings to a modern, confident, and prosperous society was a blessing to everyone.

She said the country was a shining example of democracy, good governance, and effective leadership. President Murmu said that India and Botswana shared a natural friendship built on mutual trust and respect, shared values, and a common belief in democracy and human dignity.

"It is a friendship that has been built not with words and promises, but on the bedrock of hard work, dedication, and people-oriented delivery," said President Murmu.

Over the decades, partnerships between the two countries had not only been reinforced by past collaboration but also by the promise of a bright future, she said. President Murmu noted that it was an honor for India to have been an early partner in Botswana›s nation-building journey.

The two nations› cooperation has expanded across many sectors, including education, health, technology, agriculture, defense, trade, and investment. President Murmu said India was proud of the ongoing partnership in capacity building and human resource development.

In the last decade alone, she said more than 1,000 young Batswana have studied and trained in India, returning home with new skills, expanded knowledge, and lasting friendships.

President Murmu hailed the people-to-people connections between the two countries, as the real strength and driver of their enduring ties of friendship and cooperation. She said democracies needed to be sensitive to the dreams and aspirations of their people, especially the expectations of their youth. 

“To achieve this, there is a need to ensure robust and durable economic growth and harness new opportunities to benefit people,” she said.

President Murmu said India companies were active in Botswana›s diamond, energy, and infrastructure sectors and noted that there was immense hope for collaboration in renewable energy, digital innovation, pharmaceuticals, and mining.

She emphasised the need for business communities from both countries to work together to harness the full potential of their economic partnership. This would be in consonance with Botswana›s Vision 2036 initiative, she said.

“India is the fastest-growing major economy in the world, driven by structural reforms, digital transformation, expanding infrastructure, and a youthful workforce,” President Murmu said.

She said the government of India aimed to transform the country into a fully developed, inclusive, and resilient nation by the centenary of its independence, emphasising innovation-led industrialisation, clean energy transition, global competitiveness, and equitable prosperity.

India and Botswana can contribute meaningfully to a fairer and more sustainable world order, she said and thanked Botswana for the support of India’s efforts for a reformed and expanded UN Security Council.

The role of Africa cannot be overstated, as it is the continent of the future. With its youthful demographics and vast natural resources, the continent can fuel the growth of the global economy.

The collaboration between India and African countries can help unlock the energies of our 2.8 billion people, which is 40 per cent of the world›s population,» she said. President Murmu said India was firmly committed to prospering across sectors and sharing its development experience with Botswana. 

Leader of the House and Minister for State President, Mr Moeti Mohwasa, viewed President Murmu›s visit as a demonstration of an enduring friendship and strategic partnership between the two nations, built on mutual respect, shared values, and common aspirations of democracy, development, and human dignity.

“The visit is evidence of India›s unwavering commitment to international cooperation, good governance, and human progress,” he said.

 Mr Mohwasa noted that the visit underscored the importance of collaboration across multiple sectors. Leader of the Opposition, Mr Dumelang Saleshando, on the other hand, said the visit by President Murmu gave hope to the girl child who aspired to be in leadership positions. ENDS