Cheetahs, Trade, and Trust Mark India–Botswana Ties
President Droupadi Murmu Hails Indian Diaspora in Botswana
Gaborone: Botswana today gifted India eight cheetahs for the next phase of Project Cheetah, marking a new chapter in bilateral cooperation in wildlife conservation. The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, and the President of Botswana, Advocate Duma Gideon Boko, jointly witnessed the symbolic release of the animals at the Mokolodi Nature Reserve, following their transfer from the Ghanzi region to a quarantine facility under the supervision of experts from both nations.
The gesture, representing Botswana’s symbolic donation to India, reinforces collaboration between the two countries in environmental conservation and biodiversity restoration. It builds upon earlier phases of Project Cheetah, under which India received eight cheetahs from Namibia in September 2022 and twelve from South Africa in February 2023. With Botswana’s contribution of eight more cheetahs, the total number translocated to India under the initiative now reaches twenty-eight.
During her engagements in Gaborone, the President of India met with Botswana’s Vice President, Ndaba Nkosinathi Gaolathe, and Minister for International Relations, Dr Phenyo Butale. Discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in trade, digital technologies, health, education, agriculture, and renewable energy.
Before departing for New Delhi, President Murmu addressed members of the Indian community at a reception hosted by India’s High Commissioner to Botswana. She acknowledged their contributions to Botswana’s progress and described them as cultural ambassadors representing shared values of hard work, honesty, and harmony. She urged them to continue strengthening the relationship between the two countries and to make use of India’s outreach initiatives, such as the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) scheme and Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas.
The President said that India and Botswana enjoy a relationship grounded in trust, mutual respect, and shared democratic values. She noted that her talks with President Boko reaffirmed both nations’ commitment to deepen cooperation across key sectors and enhance people-to-people ties.
On November 12, the President addressed the National Assembly of Botswana, where she described the country as a shining example of democracy, good governance, and inclusive development. She noted that India–Botswana cooperation has expanded across sectors, including education, health, technology, agriculture, defence, and trade, and expressed satisfaction with India’s partnership in capacity building and human resource development.
She observed that over a thousand young Batswana have studied or trained in India in the past decade and emphasised the importance of sustained economic growth that creates opportunities for youth. She encouraged collaboration between business communities of both countries to harness potential in renewable energy, digital innovation, pharmaceuticals, and mining.
The President underlined that India and Botswana share a vision of a fair and sustainable world order and can contribute meaningfully to strengthening Global South cooperation and reformed multilateralism. She described Africa as the continent of the future, whose youthful population and resources can drive global growth, and linked India’s “Viksit Bharat 2047” vision with Africa’s “Agenda 2063” as frameworks for joint progress.
Earlier in her visit, the President toured the Diamond Trading Company Botswana and the Three Dikgosi Monument, and held extensive discussions with President Boko, marking the first-ever State Visit from India to Botswana since the establishment of diplomatic relations nearly six decades ago. The two sides also signed an agreement on pharmacopoeia to enhance access to quality medicines and confirmed India’s supply of essential ARV medicines at Botswana’s request.
President Murmu concludes her two-nation visit to Angola and Botswana on November 14, returning to New Delhi after a series of engagements that reaffirmed India’s commitment to deepening its partnership with Africa.
– global bihari bureau
