The fourth Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between India and Botswana were held in Gaborone on 14 December 2023. The Indian side was led by Shri Puneet R. Kundal, Additional Secretary (East and Southern Africa), and the Botswana side was led by Ambassador Clifford Maribe, Permanent Secretary (Acting) in the Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation.
During the FOC, both delegations took stock of the entire sweep of bilateral relations between India and Botswana, encompassing political exchanges, development partnership, trade and investments, and consular issues. Both sides also discussed the potential for cooperation in sectors such as agriculture, defence, health, arts and culture, energy among others. It was agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation for the shared prosperity of the people of India and Botswana. Views were also exchanged on regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest, including stepping up cooperation in the UN.
Both sides agreed to continue high-level engagements at official and political levels, including meetings of joint institutional mechanisms to keep the bilateral partnership robust. The Indian side also reiterated invitation to Botswana to join the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).
It was agreed to hold the next round of Consultations at mutually convenient dates in New Delhi.