India welcomes Botswana’s decision to join International Solar Alliance

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : The Vice President of India M Venkaiah Naidu has welcomed the President of Botswana’s decision to join International Solar Alliance (ISA). He called on the President of Botswana Dr Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, at Gaborone, Botswana, on November 2, 2018.

The Vice President and delegation arrived at Gaborone on October 31, 2018. He was the Chief Guest at the 13^th Annual Global Expo Botswana 2018 where the Vice President of Botswana Slumber Tsogwane was also present.

On November 1, 2018, Naidu held one-on-one meeting with the Vice President of Botswana Slumber Tsogwane. This was followed by high-level delegation talks. The India-Botswana Joint Communique was released at the conclusion of the talks. A MoU on exemption of Visa for diplomatic passports was signed between the two countries. The Vice President of Botswana also hosted a luncheon in honour of the Vice President of India.

Later that evening, Naidu addressed a large gathering of the Indian Community at Botswana. The Vice President appreciated the impressive and significant contribution of the Indian community to the economic development of Botswana. He urged them to continue to preserve their Indian values and traditions as well as contribute to India in some meaningful way so as not to forget their roots. He thanked the Botswana Government for looking after the welfare of the Indian community.

Naidu also outlined the impressive growth of India over the last four years particularly in attracting FDIs, considerably enhancing ease of doing business, introduction of GST to provide greater transparency and facilitation, heightened tax collection etc. He also enumerated several path breaking initiatives undertaken by the Government including Swachh Bharat, Digital India, Start up India, opening of 330 million bank accounts, Mudra Bank, health initiatives, infrastructure and connectivity, which have made the economic growth more inclusive and brought in every section of the community within its ambit.

On November 2 afternoon, the Vice President called on the President of Botswana Dr Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi. Both leaders welcomed the warm and close relations between the two countries. The President of Botswana recalled his memorable visits to India in 2012 and 2015. He expressed the desire that both countries should entrench their partnership ever deeper, according to a PIB release.

Naidu congratulated the President of Botswana on his assumption of Office of President in April 2018. He lauded the progress of Botswana and its important role in the context of Southern Africa. He conveyed his happiness at the forthcoming visit of the President of Botswana to India for Vibrant Gujarat in January next year.

The President of Botswana called for greater investments from India into Botswana including mining. He conveyed his desire to transform Botswana into a medical hub.