Swazi Observer

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INDIA, ESWATINI TO HAVE LONG-LASTING RELATIONS

By NOKUPHILA HAJI | 2025-01-28

ESWATINI looks forward to continuing its cordial and strong bilateral relations with the Republic of India.

The country has had bilateral relations with the country for the past 55 years. His Majesty King Mswati III shared this during the 75th India Republic Day dinner held at the United Nations House on Sunday.

The king was represented byPS in the Ministry of Defence Prince Sicalo, who said it was through these meetings and exchanges that they believed they could foster long-lasting relations centred on their will and desire to achieve excellent economic and socio-cultural policies between the two sovereign states.

The king said the two nations were united in one accord during the recent national events, where they stood with the country and offered support.

He said these cultural exchanges go a long way in ensuring that the two countries identify as one in all that they do.

He acknowledged and shared the country’s profound gratitude to the President of India Droupadi Murmu, their government and the people of India for being intentional about growing and promoting their relations.

“We are pleased with the positive cooperation between India and Eswatini. All the areas which we have mutual understanding on have received your full attention and support including but limited to economic, cultural, health, political and social development,” he said.

confident
The king added that the country was confident that with this energy and focus that the two countries were sharing, they would grow together and reduce any social and economic disparities as they empower their people.

He encouraged people and government officials to continue making meaningful engagements in all the opportunities that have been made available in the various exchange programmes between the two countries.

“We look forward to continuing cordial and strong bilateral relations between our two countries as we strengthen our joint efforts to see prosperity in all our endeavours in uplifting our people,” he said.
His Majesty called upon both governments and people to pull up their sleeves and put their best foot forward to ensure that the numerous capital projects, plans and goals that they committed to work on were delivered upon.

“All the targets we have set for ourselves must be prioritised as these speak to the core mandate and needs of the people in special sectors such as growth in the economy, healthcare, ICT, education, infrastructure, sustainable energy, culture, sports, social and political issues, to mention a few,” he said.

Meanwhile the High Commissioner of India Ram Prasad said India’s leadership of the Global South was the hallmark of various achievements since they celebrated their Republic Day last year.
He said Eswatini partnered with India during India’s leadership of the Voice of Global South Summit.

He said the Minister of Finance Neal Rijkenberg also participated in the ministerial session of the finance ministers pertaining the summit.

He added that the Minister of Economic Planning and Development Tambo Gina also visited India for the CII-Africa Business summit in August last year, adding that foreign office consultations were held after a gap of seven years in which a clear roadmap for the bilateral partnership between the two countries was identified.

“The lease deed for the gift of a plot of land for the construction of the High Commission building was signed to the commission. We are indeed thankful to His Majesty for the generous gift,” he said.

King hopes for increase in fully paid scholarships

HIS Majesty King Mswati III says the country is delighted that India is awarding locals with scholarships.
He hopes to see growth in the number of fully paid scholarships for Emaswati.
The king said the country was particularly excited about the opportunities given for skills and professional training afforded to young people in the country to go and study in India.

He said Eswatini believed in giving young people solid education that would make them flourish and fly high independently.

He therefore stated that they were delighted by the undertaking made that they shall see growth in the number of fully paid scholarships for Emaswati.

“This also extends to the professional skills development training programmes for government officials in various sectors,” he said.

scholarships
Indian High Commissioner Ram Prasad said India sponsored 30 fully paid scholarships to Emaswati under the Africa Scholarship Scheme of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) last year for higher education in various prestigious universities and colleges in India.

He said there were also 50 fully paid scholarships awarded to locals under the Indian Technical & Economic Cooperation scheme of the government of India.

“India also brought the latest cutting-edge technology courses in artificial intelligence, data science etc. to the very doorstep of the kingdom through the Zanzibar campus of the Indian Institute of Technology,” he said.

He added that the two countries’ defence cooperation was also growing with the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) now fully utilising the 15 defence training slots in their training year 2024/25.

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