|
Home
|
India and Botswana have been enjoying most cordial and friendly relations.
The two countries have been practising liberal democracy steadfastly since
independence and have been working together with similar purposes in regional
and international affairs. During the anti-aprtheid struggle, India and Botswana
shared common purposes and worked together to protect interests of majority of
South Africans.In modern times, the two nations share similar aspirations in various world
for a including United Nations on which both countries work for urgent reforms
to the Council, World Trade Organisation ans SADC. They also confront and fight the menace
of HIV / AIDS and work for better protection of global environment.
There has also been several high level visits between India and Botswana. In
1976, the first Presidentof Botswana, Sir Seretse Khama visited India. Sir Ketumile
Masire also visited India when he was Vice President. Mr. P.S.Mussi also, former Vice
President visisted New Delhi in 1988 as Chairman of SADC. In
May 1993, Parliamentary delegation led by Speaker of Botswana National Assembly
visited India. In 2001, both Minister of Health, Ms.J.J.Phumaphi and Minister
of Trade, Industry, Wildlife and Tourism, Ms. Phelonomi Venson visited India.
High level visits from India include Vice President, Shri.R.Venkataraman
accompanied by Shri Eduardo Faleiro, Minister of State for External Affairs who
visited Gaborone to attend the 20th anniversary of Botswana
independence. Shri Faleiro again made formal visit in February 1987 for SADC
Conference. Shri. k. Natwar Singh, also Minister of State of External
Affairs, visited Botswana in 1986. In January 2002, the late
Shri G.M.C. Balayogi, Speaker of Lok Sabha, visited Botswana for CommonWealth
Speakers Conference. Apart from them, several other Ministerial and other
High level officials visited Botswana during the last 36 years.
Trade and Investment : Although the quantity of trade and merchandise
between India and Botswana is not very significant, there has been steady growth
in services sector. Indian companies are investing in Botswana since 1970. Several
manufacturing units and trading houses are owned or managed by Indians. In January
2001, Trade agreement was signed between India and Botswana which include Most
Favoured Nation treatment. Botswana opened its market for foreign suppliers but
it is difficult to compete with manufacturers in South Africa, especially after
the depreciation of the Rand. Indian companies who want to export their products
are advised to seek information from High Commission of India.
Additional information is also available at wesite of High Commission of india in Gaborone.
Indian Community : There are an estimated 9000 NRIs and PIOs in Botswana out of
which one-third are nationals of Botswana or other neighbouring countries.
Most of them are professionals like teachers, accountants and traders. many of them
have been doing business for the last 20-30 years.
Cultural : Several Indian cultural troupes have visited Botswana including
Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, Dr. M.S. Gopalakrishnan as well as Gazal Singer Jagjit Singh.
In the last few years, however, there has been fewer visits by peforming artists due to
a number of reasons. The High Commission and Indian Council for Cultural Relations(ICCR)
are however trying to organise more visits.
Scholarships : Every year 20-25 people from Botswana receive training under Indian
Technical and Economic co-operation (ITEC) programme in Indian institutions.
The Indian Government also offer training under ICCR programmes.
The number of self financing students, however, are few.
|
|
