India – Botswana Bilateral Relations

The diplomatic relations between India and Botswana was established after the independence of Botswana in 1996. Botswana is a part of pan African E – network project. It is an ICT (Information and Communication Technology) project signed between India and Africa Union. It connects 53 states of the Union through satellites and fiber – optic network.

The primary commodity imported from Botswana to India is diamond. Botswana diamond is particularly famous in Surat. Surat is the center for cutting and polishing of rough diamond. In 2008, an agreement was signed between the Botswana government and the Indian Institute of Diamond in Surat to find the India – Africa Diamond Institute in India.

Under the Indian Technical and Cooperation scheme, India offers 65 slots to the Botswana nationals in different fields like IT & Communication, Accounting, Management, etc.

There are around 7,000 to 8,000 Indians living in Botswana. Out of them, 3,000 to 4,000 are citizens of Botswana. They are employed in teaching, manufacturing, retail and accounting profession.