India & Botswana Seal New Cooperation Deals in Health & Technology

Health emerged as a major pillar of cooperation. Dalela confirmed that both countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding in the sector.

India and Botswana have advanced cooperation across health and digital transformation during President Droupadi Murmu’s state visit, with senior officials outlining a detailed roadmap to strengthen bilateral engagement.

In a press briefing, MEA Secretary (Economic Relations) Sudhakar Dalela said Botswana’s leadership showed strong interest in India’s progress in digital innovation.

“The leadership of Botswana also conveyed their keen interest in learning about the deployment of digital public infrastructure in India and how we are leveraging technology to improve the delivery of citizen-centric services, the deployment of e-governance, and overall economic efficiency across the government,” he said.

Health emerged as a major pillar of cooperation. Dalela confirmed that both countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding in the sector. “We have signed an MoU in the area of the health sector. This MoU will facilitate access to quality and affordable medicines from India to Botswana. The President also conveyed the Government of India's readiness and decision to send essential ARV medicines as requested by the Government of Botswana,” he said. The development strengthens collaboration on accessible healthcare.

Wildlife conservation also featured prominently. Dalela announced Botswana’s support for India’s cheetah reintroduction efforts. “Botswana has agreed to partner with India in our efforts to reintroduce cheetahs in India under Project Cheetah,” he said, highlighting cross-border environmental cooperation.

Dalela said President Murmu’s visit underscores India’s long-standing partnership with Botswana. “The State visit by the President underscores India's commitment to strengthening its long-standing, friendly ties with Botswana. The visit also reflects India's firm commitment to expanding partnership with the African region, including within the framework of India-Africa Forum Summit,” he said.

He added that Botswana attached great significance to the engagements. “The President of Botswana described the visit as historic,” Dalela noted.

“The state visit of the President has given a fresh momentum to our close ties of friendship and cooperation with Botswana. We have a clear roadmap for expanding our partnership with Botswana, and the task before us now is to build on this very positive momentum.”

President Murmu reached Botswana on November 11 after completing the first leg of her two-nation African tour in Angola from November 8 to 11. Her engagements included bilateral discussions, an address to Botswana’s National Assembly, and strengthening cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, technology, energy, agriculture, health, pharmaceuticals, defence, and people-to-people exchanges.

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