President Droupadi Murmu today addressed Members of Parliament in Botswana’s National Assembly. Calling it a temple of democracy she conveyed the greetings of 1.4 billion Indians to the people of Botswana through the House.
She praised Botswana as a shining example of good governance and inclusive development, noting its remarkable progress since independence, despite a modest start. President Murmu said that of all the sectors of India-Botswana partnership, India is most proud of partnership in capacity building and human resource development. She said that this element has promoted people-to-people ties which only strengthen the partnership.
She invited greater business collaboration between the two countries as both economies diversify, emphasising the opportunities in emerging sectors. Highlighting India’s growth and vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, she underlined that development must remain inclusive and benefit all.
The President also reaffirmed India’s commitment to Global South cooperation and thanked Botswana for their support for a reformed and expanded UNSC. She hailed Africa as the continent of the future and noted that India’s G20 Presidency played an important role in Africa’s permanent membership in the Grouping.
She reaffirmed that India’s engagement with Africa is guided by the 10 Principles announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018, emphasizing a collaborative approach to engagement with Africa. Appreciating Botswana’s warmth towards the Indian community, President Murmu said India remains committed to sharing its development experience and strengthening the enduring friendship between the two nations.
Earlier, President Murmu held bilateral talks with President Duma Boko of Botswana in Gaborone today and discussed several bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest. The leaders agreed to expand cooperation in trade & investment, agriculture, health, defence, mining, skilling and digital technology.
The two sides also signed MoUs on cooperation in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors. President Murmu also announced India’s decision to send ARV medicines to Botswana. Antiretroviral (ARV) medicines are used to treat HIV infections. President Duma Boko noted that India is a leading manufacturer of pharmaceuticals, especially generic medicines, and that the MoU will facilitate Botswana’s access to quality affordable medicines, solving a persistent problem in Botswana’s healthcare. He thanked India for the offer on ARV medicines.
President Duma Boko praised India’s pivotal role in his country’s growth, citing strong cooperation in education, health, defence, and skilling. He added that landmark Indian judgments on the right to life and patents are relevant to Botswana’s legal system as well. Calling India’s digital transformation an inspiration, he said its success in serving 1.4 billion people offers valuable lessons for Botswana’s own digital journey. He also praised India’s Global South push and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiatives like the International Solar Alliance.
