‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ Aligns with Africa’s ‘Agenda 2063’: President Murmu

• President Droupadi Murmu addressed the National Assembly of Botswana in Gaborone.
• She said India’s ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ vision and Africa’s ‘Agenda 2063’ offer scope for collaboration.
• Murmu urged Indian and Botswanan business communities to enhance economic partnership.
• She praised Botswana as a model of democracy and good governance.

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 13th Nov: President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday addressed the National Assembly of Botswana in Gaborone, underscoring the shared democratic values and future goals that unite India and Botswana. She highlighted that India’s vision of “Viksit Bharat” by 2047 and Africa’s “Agenda 2063” offer an opportunity for active and strategic collaboration.

The President was received by Botswana’s National Assembly Speaker Dithapelo L. Keorapetse, Deputy Speaker, and the Leader of Opposition. In her address, Murmu lauded Botswana as a beacon of democracy, good governance, and effective leadership. She said the country’s consistent democratic tradition since its independence in 1966 stands as a model for the world.

Murmu noted that India and Botswana’s friendship rests on mutual trust, shared democratic ideals, and human dignity. Over the years, the partnership has expanded across sectors such as education, health, technology, agriculture, defence, and trade.

She emphasized India’s contribution to Botswana’s human resource development, noting that over a thousand young Batswana have studied and trained in India in the past decade. “The youth need not only education and skills but also avenues to contribute to nation-building through sustainable growth,” she said.

Highlighting the growing areas of cooperation, Murmu stated that Indian companies are already active in Botswana’s diamond, energy, and infrastructure sectors. She pointed to vast potential in renewable energy, digital innovation, pharmaceuticals, and mining. The President urged business communities from both countries to “work in collaboration to harness the full potential of our economic partnership.”

Murmu also underlined that India and Botswana, as part of the Global South, can together contribute to building a fairer and more sustainable world order through reformed multilateralism.

Describing Africa as “the continent of the future,” she said that with its young population and abundant natural resources, Africa could drive global economic growth. “Together, India and Africa can unlock the energies of our 2.8 billion people—40 percent of the world’s population,” she said.

Earlier in the day, President Murmu visited the Diamond Trading Company Botswana (DTCB), where she was briefed on the diamond sector’s role in the nation’s economy. Later, she paid respects at the Three Dikgosi Monument in Gaborone, honouring the three tribal chiefs who played a key role in Botswana’s independence movement.