Botswana Wednesday formally announced the translocation of eight cheetahs to India amid President Droupadi Murmu’s state visit.
In the capital, Gaborone, the President spoke with counterpart Duma Gideon Boko about expanding the India-Africa partnership. As the southern African nation announced the symbolic handover of the big cats for India’s Project Cheetah, President Murmu said: “I must thank President Boko and the people of Botswana for agreeing to send their cheetahs to India. We will take good care of them.”
On Thursday, the two heads of state will preside over an event where five of the eight captured cheetahs will be released into a quarantine facility at the Mokolodi nature reserve, marking the symbolic handover to India. The eight cheetahs are expected to reach India in a few months after undertaking quarantine procedures.
President Murmu earlier visited Angola as part of her cumulative six-day state visit to both African nations — the first by any Indian head of state.
During one-on-one meetings on Wednesday and delegation-level talks, the leaders of India and Botswana agreed to expand cooperation in sectors such as trade and investment, agriculture, renewable energy, health, education, skill development, defence and digital technology.
The two leaders also witnessed the signing of a pact giving Botswana access to affordable Indian medicines.
The President said her visit — the first of its kind from India to Botswana— marks an important milestone for bilateral relations. It comes ahead of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries in 2026.
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President Murmu said India is committed to working closely with Botswana to deepen its ties, and to expanding its partnership with African countries. She also addressed the National Assembly of Botswana, where she spoke of India’s wish to share its developmental experience and build a partnership that benefits both nations.
President Boko said that India, the “Mother of Democracy”, has been a steadfast source of support in Botswana’s development journey.
“Our development partnership is based on the ideals of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas aur Sabka Prayaas’ (together with everyone’s growth, trust and efforts),” the President said during her visit. The President noted that there was a growing participation of Indian companies in Botswana’s economic development, particularly in the diamond sector.
Noting that Indian entities were already “active” in Botswana’s diamond, energy, and infrastructure sectors, the president said there was a “scope” for collaboration in renewable energy, digital innovation, pharmaceuticals, and mining. She invited business communities from both countries to collaborate and “harness the full potential” of their economic partnership.
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This is the first-ever Presidential visit from India to Botswana. The President has been accompanied by Minister of State for Jal Shakti and Railways V Somanna and MPs Parbhubhai Nagarbhai Vasava and DK Aruna.
