High Commission of India

Gaborone, Botswana

High Commission of India
Gaborone

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Highlights of Bilateral Relationship

Bilateral relations with Botswana have been close and friendly, with a new thrust in mutual trust over the last few years.  Both the countries share the highest ideals of democracy and rule of law. India established diplomatic relations with Botswana immediately after its independence in 1966 and opened resident diplomatic mission in Gaborone in 1987.  Botswana established its Mission in New Delhi in 2006.

Bilateral Visits

Bilateral visits at the highest level have contributed significantly in strengthening of the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two nations.

Some important visits from Botswana side include:

• President Mr. Festus Mogae – May 2005 and December 2006

• Former President Dr. Mokgweetsi E.K. Masisi (as Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration – June 2012 to attend Science and Technology Ministerial Conference; and as Vice President of Botswana – October 2015 to attend the Third India-Africa Forum Summit.

From India’s side, key visits include:

• Vice President Shri Hamid Ansari – 2010,

• Vice President Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu – 2018

• Hon’ble President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu – 2025

Recent high-level visits/engagements:

• Foreign Minister Dr. Lemogang Kwape met EAM in Kevadia, Gujarat on 19 Oct 2022.

• Minister of Defence & Security, Mr. Thomas Kagiso Mmusi attended Interpol General Assembly held in New Delhi in October 2022

• Dr. Edwin G. Dikoloti, Minister of Health led a five member delegation and visited Ahmedabad and New Delhi from 28 Nov to 1 Dec 2022 for negotiations/discussions with the medical suppliers in India.

• Mr. Macdonald Tumiso Rakgare, Minister of Youth, Gender, Sports and Culture, along with Ms. Bogolo Kenewendo, (presently Minister of Minerals and Energy)  a former Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry and Mr. Simon Nikosana Moabi, Member of Parliament attended the Gen Next Democracy Network Programme 2023 organised by the ICCR in January 2023.

• Minister of Minerals and Energy Mr. Lefoko Moagi visited Mumbai and Delhi from 17 to 25 April 2023.  In Mumbai he met with diamond cutting and polishing industry, and in Delhi visited Jindal Energy Power and Steel Plants.  

• On the sidelines of Third South Summit of the Group of 77 and China, held in Kampala on 21-22 January 2024, Minister of State for External Affairs, Shri V. Muraleedharan met with Foreign Minister of Botswana, Dr. Lemogang Kwape and discussed issues of mutual interest.

• The fourth Foreign Office Consultations were held in Gaborone on 14 December 2023, when the two sides exchanged views on political, development cooperation, trade and investment, defence, agriculture, consular, cultural and establishment related matters between the two countries.

• Dr. Douglas Letsholathebe, Minister for Education, attended the 2nd edition of Voice of Global South Summit (VOGSS) virtually, in November 2023.

• Mr. Jacob Kelebeng, Minister of Sport and Arts, along with Ms. Nancy Neo Chengeta,       Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sport and Arts attended the World Audio-Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES 2025) held from 01-04 May 2025, in Jio Convention Centre, Mumbai.

• Mr. Noah Salakae, Minister of Transport & Infrastructure visited India from 25-31 December, 2025.

Bilateral Mechanisms

The 4th Foreign Office Consultations were held in Gaborone on 14 December 2023, covering political, economic, defence, agricultural, and cultural cooperation. Other bilateral frameworks include the Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC) and a wide range of MoUs covering visa exemption, culture, trade, taxation, agriculture, education, and science & technology.

Capacity Building

Capacity building is a strong pillar of bilateral ties. India offers ICCR and ITEC scholarships, which are highly popular in Botswana. In 2024-25, 54 Batswana students were selected for ICCR scholarships (from over 500 applications). In the past decade, more than 1,500 students and professionals (civilian and Defence) have benefited from various capacity building programmes. Eleven researchers from Botswana have also availed the C.V. Raman Fellowship for advanced research in India.

Trade

India and Botswana share a strong trade relationship, with diamonds being the major commodity in both imports and exports. Botswana exports rough diamonds to India, while India’s exports to Botswana include a mix of pharmaceuticals, machinery, iron & steel, electrical equipment in addition to precious stones such as diamonds. India has opportunities to expand exports in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, tyres, agricultural equipment, digital technology, textiles etc.

Trade Figures in US$ million (Source: Dept. of Commerce, GOI):

Investment

Indian businesses have a notable presence in Botswana, contributing to local employment and skill development.  Key areas of Indian investment include banking, diamond cutting and polishing, and infrastructure projects.

Banking: The Bank of Baroda has been operating in Botswana since 2001 and has four branches across the country.

Diamond Industry: About 30 diamond cutting and polishing businesses operate in Botswana, with majority of them owned by Indian diamond companies as part of their multinational operations. Prominent among them are: M. Suresh Company Private Limited, KGK Diamonds, Aurostar Diamonds, Arjav Diamonds, Dia-Rough Botswana, Urostar Botswana, Karp Impex, Mohit Diamonds, Dharma Diamonds, WTM Botswana. These companies have generated employment opportunities and imparted training skills (diamond cutting and polishing) to local Batswana.  

Infrastructure, Power, Automobile Sector:

• RITES Ltd, an Indian company has its office in Gaborone.  On 19 December, 2025, Signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure for the Development of Railways and Related Infrastructure and Information Technology Services. 

• Mahindra has its presence in Botswana through franchises.

• Jindal Steel and Power Ltd. signed an initial power purchase agreement with Botswana Power Corporation on July 25, 2023 for a 300 MW greenfield coal-fired power plant, expected to be completed by December 2026. The Botswana Cabinet has approved an additional 300 MW to this greenfield project. A ground breaking ceremony for the plant took place on 6th October, 2023.

• A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on 17 December 2025, between KP Group and the Government of Botswana for large-scale renewable energy and power infrastructure development, with the company ready to invest up to Rs 36,000 crore. The MoU envisages to upgrade power transmission, adding of around 5 gigawatt of renewable energy capacity in Botswana, which includes high-voltage transmission lines and cross-border connectivity.  The MoU reflects a shared vision between KP Group and the Government of Botswana to accelerate the energy transition through scalable and sustainable renewable solutions.

Botswana presents several promising investment opportunities for Indian businesses across various sectors like healthcare, mining (copper, nickel, coal, uranium etc), renewable energy projects, digital banking, insurance, farming, small and medium enterprises, entertainment industry, medical tourism, automobile and tyre industry etc.

Humanitarian Assistance

In response to the floods in Gaborone and other parts of Botswana, the Government of India extended relief aid valued at USD 50,000 (BWP 700,000), consisting of medicines and essential supplies.

Recent Cultural/ Sports Exchanges

Cultural diplomacy has been vibrant:

• Botswana women’s cricket team trained in Bangalore (Nov 2023).

• Botswana scouts delegation joined Republic Day Youth Exchange (Jan 2024).

• A 20-member troupe participated in Surajkund International Crafts Mela        (Feb 2024).

• Botswana men’s cricket team trained in Karnataka (Aug 2025).

• In Kasane, Botswana, a special Garba performance was held by the Niyati Sanskrutik Parivar cultural troupe in December 2023 to celebrate Gujarat's Garba dance being inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Later, the cultural troupe from India performed in Francistown and Gaborone.

Indian Diaspora

Indian diaspora (approx. 10,000 Indian nationals and PIOs) contributes significantly to Botswana’s economy and form a prosperous segment of the society. They are engaged in service and retail sectors viz. teaching, accounting, insurance and finance, medicine and pharmaceuticals. Indian origin diaspora also owns several grocery stores, supermarket chains and has presence in hospitality, construction and hospital industry. Most of them are from the states of Gujarat, Kerala, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu. Indian / Diaspora community celebrates all prominent Indian festivals like Diwali, Holi, Onam, Baisakhi etc. which attracts enthusiastic participation, including by local dignitaries.  

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January 2026