13 Nov 2025

President Advocate Duma Boko has called for stronger economic and technological collaboration between Botswana and India.

Speaking at a state banquet in honour of India President Droupadi Murmu in Gaborone on November 12, President Boko emphasised the opportunities for partnership in industrial development, information technology and the diamond sector.

He urged Indian financial institutions to explore innovative financing mechanisms to support Botswana’s diamond trading, polishing and jewellery manufacturing industries and sectors central to the nation’s economy.

“The highest amount of money to be made in the diamond business lies in financing and value addition,” he said, calling for ‘outside-the-box thinking’ and cooperation with Indian firms renowned for their expertise.

President Boko also invited Indian professionals to establish training and operations in Botswana.

“We want some of those cutters and polishers to come here, to set up here, to transmit and share their skills, these are unique skills and the world recognises Indian craftsmanship,” he said.

Acknowledging India’s remarkable progress in digital transformation and poverty alleviation, President Boko said Botswana desired to learn from India’s innovations in delivering government services to vast populations.

“Our aim is to know the best that is known in any setting and contribute to the world’s storehouse of knowledge,” he said.

He further praised India’s remarkable resilience and economic achievements, which had propelled it to become one of the world’s largest economies.

Meanwhile, President Boko commended President Murmu for her historic first state visit to Botswana, describing it as a milestone in the nearly six-decade-long diplomatic relations between the two nations.

He highlighted that the visit ushersed in a new era of cooperation, saying, 'it is a moment of profound significance because we elevate the relationship to the highest level now, we bring our peoples closer, we cement this longstanding relationship and we appreciate your blessing with assistance that India has rendered to us over the years'.

President Boko noted that Botswana and India had enjoyed firm foundation of friendship, mutual respect and shared vision to improve the quality of life of people.

He also lauded President Murmu’s lifelong commitment to education, health, gender equity, culture and language.

“It is fitting that such a personality occupies the high office of President of a Republic of 1.4 billion people, a huge achievement and a great responsibility,” he said.

For her part, President Murmu praised Botswana’s remarkable journey since gaining independence in 1966, commending the nation for building one of Africa’s most stable democracies.

“The people and leadership of Botswana, with a profound spirit of resilience and unity, have taken their nation to revolutionary heights,” she said.

President Murmu also applauded Botswana’s prudent leadership and its emergence as a beacon of hope for other developing nations, acknowledging the country’s success in governance, social cohesion and forward-looking development strategies.

She expressed India’s keen interest in supporting Botswana’s post-colonial economic transformation programme, which aimed to reduce dependence on traditional sectors and foster a diversified, knowledge-driven economy, emphasising on key areas of collaboration, including capacity building, technology exchange, digital innovation and infrastructure development.

President Murmu further highlighted opportunities for cooperation in solar energy, grid modernisation, mining, agriculture, manufacturing and tourism areas aligned with Botswana’s drive toward a more diversified economic model.
In addition to economic cooperation, both leaders reaffirmed the importance of people-to-people ties and committed to expanding academic exchanges, cultural programmes and tourism initiatives that promoted greater mutual understanding.

The banquet was attended by former President, Dr Festus Mogae and wife, Barbara, former Vice President, Mr Slumber Tsogwane, cabinet ministers and members of the Indian diaspora in Botswana. ENDS