President Murmu Embarks on Historic 3-Day Visit to Botswana, Brings New Hope for Conservation and Trade
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In a significant move to strengthen bilateral ties and promote conservation efforts, President Droupadi Murmu has arrived in Botswana on the final leg of her two-nation visit to Africa. The three-day state visit marks the first-ever visit by an Indian President to the landlocked southern African country, underscoring India's commitment to enhance its long-standing and friendly ties with Botswana. During her visit, President Murmu will hold delegation-level talks with President Duma Gideon Boko, aimed at finalizing agreements on key areas such as trade, investments, technology, energy, and people-to-people ties. The two leaders will also preside over the release of eight Kalahari desert cheetahs into a quarantine facility at the Mokolodi nature reserve, marking a significant step towards wildlife conservation under Project Cheetah. Botswana, the world's leading producer of rough diamonds, exports its valuable resources to India, while India exports pharmaceuticals, machinery, iron and steel, and electrical equipment to the country. The year 2026 will mark 60 years of diplomatic ties between the two nations, with trade between them valued at USD 506 million in the 2024-25 fiscal. President Murmu's visit to Botswana follows a four-day state visit to Angola, where she met her Angolan counterpart and held high-level talks aimed at strengthening bilateral relations in various sectors. The visit is reflective of India's firm commitment to further strengthen its multifaceted partnership with the African continent and open up new avenues for collaboration and expansion. During her three days in Botswana, President Murmu will also address the Parliamentarians of the National Assembly, meet the Indian community, and hold bilateral talks with her counterpart. The visit is expected to further strengthen India's long-standing ties with Botswana and promote cooperation in key areas such as trade, conservation, and people-to-people ties.
