India/Botswana partnership blossoms as ITEC marks 61 years India’s long-standing development partnership with Botswana was firmly in the spotlight last Wednesday as the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme marked its 61stanniversary. The feel-good event celebrated six decades of skills transfer, institutional collaboration and people-to-people ties between the two nations. Speaking at the commemorations in Gaborone, the Indian High Commissioner to Botswana, Bharath Kumar Kuthati, described ITEC as the very soul of India’s development partnership with Africa.
He explained the programme is rooted in the belief that sustainable progress is built on human capacity, shared knowledge and mutual respect. Launched in 1964, ITEC has supported the training of hundreds of Batswana professionals across government, forestry, defence, health, education and the private sector in India. According to the High Commissioner, the programme is not transactional, nor about exporting solutions, but about co-creating capacity through respectful, locally grounded partnerships.
“It recognises that every country has its own priorities, context and strengths,” he explained. Kuthati linked the relevance of ITEC to Botswana’s national development agenda, noting that as BW advances towards Vision 2026 and navigates economic and developmental challenges, capacity building remains critical. He reaffirmed India’s commitment to supporting Botswana through ITEC, ICCR scholarships and newer initiatives in digital skills, renewable energy, health systems and emerging technologies.
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He also highlighted the renewed momentum in bilateral relations following the President of India, Droupadi Murmu’s historic state visit in November 2025. “As we mark 61 years of ITEC, let us reaffirm its core values: solidarity, partnership and shared progress. India will continue to stand with Botswana, not as a donor, but as a trusted partner in development,” promised Kuthati.
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