India, Botswana Sign Two Accords

FREDERICK KEBADIRETSE
Staff Writer | Monday January 11, 2010 00:00

 

Ansari is visiting the country at the invitation of his Botswana counterpart Vice-President Lt Gen Mompati Merafhe to strengthen the relationship the two countries have enjoyed over the years.

Soon after his arrival on Saturday, the two vice presidents held closed-door talks at the Office of the President (OP), which were followed by the signing of bilateral agreements on agriculture and education. The agreement on Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) was not signed even though it was said to be complete.

Despite reports in the Indian media that diamonds mainly prompted Vice President Ansari's visit, nothing was revealed about India's interests in getting rough diamonds directly from Botswana. Ansari was quoted in Indian media telling reporters at the beginning of his Southern African tour in Delhi that Botswana was the world's first or second largest diamond producer, and therefore it was of direct interest to India, which boasts a large and prosperous diamond cutting industry in Gujarat. He is however due to visit the Diamond Trading Company (DTC) Botswana, this afternoon fuelling further the speculation of the country's interest in Botswana's diamonds. He was due to visit Kasane and the Chobe National Park yesterday.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Vice President Merafhe said Ansari's visit was a clear demonstration of India's steadfast commitment to enhancing cooperation between the two countries, which have remained excellent since Botswana gained independence in 1966. 'India has been and continues to be a dependable partner in our efforts to build a more developed and economically prosperous society,' he said. He said the two countries ties have manifested themselves in the form of development and technical assistance notable in the BDF and Indian army relations as well as private investment. The Vice-President also briefed Ansari on issues of national interest including the National Development Plan (NDP) 10, Vision 2016 and the establishment of development hubs in the country, urging the Indian community to come and invest in these hubs. 'It is our hope and expectation that the effective implementation of these agreements will have a salutary effect on the work of the relevant hubs,' Merafe said. He added that the two governments would engage all efforts to finalise other agreements on housing, defence, science and technology as well as a joint ministerial commission, which have been pending. They also discussed regional and international issues, including the political situation in neighbouring Zimbabwe.

Minister of Agriculture, Christian De Graaf, who signed the agriculture agreement for Botswana, said India has prospered in the field of agriculture over the years, and they (the ministry) would make sure that they benefit much from the accord as they develop the agricultural hub. De Graaf said they would soon send a delegation to India to 'benchmark, learn and share important experiences with their Indian counterparts' as a way of implementing the agreement initiatives. Ansari and his delegation are expected to leave Botswana this evening.