President Murmu receives a grand welcome in Botswana, receives a guard of honour; several agreements will be signed between the two countries.:

News Topical, Digital Desk : President Draupadi Murmu has arrived in Botswana on a state visit. President Draupadi Murmu was warmly received at the airport by Botswana President Duma Gideon Boko and was given a ceremonial welcome and a guard of honour.

President Draupadi Murmu landed at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport in Gaborone, Botswana, on the final leg of her two-nation visit to Africa, Rashtrapati Bhavan said in a post on X. This is the first state visit by an Indian head of state to Botswana.

In a special gesture reflecting the depth of India-Batwana friendship, the President of Botswana, His Excellency Advocate Duma Gideon Boko, warmly welcomed him at the airport and accorded him a ceremonial welcome and a Guard of Honour.

Earlier, President Murmu departed Luanda for Botswana after concluding her engagements in Angola, the first leg of her tour from November 8 to 11. The visit was made at the invitation of her Angolan counterpart, João Lourenço.

After concluding her engagements in Angola, President Murmu arrived in Botswana for the second leg of her Africa tour, scheduled from November 11 to 13, at the invitation of President Duma Gideon Boko. This visit marks a milestone in India-Botswana relations, as it is the first State visit by an Indian Head of State to Botswana.

The Botswana phase will focus on enhancing cooperation in trade, investment, technology, energy, agriculture, health, pharmaceuticals, defence and people-to-people exchanges.

During her visit, President Murmu will hold bilateral discussions, address the National Assembly of Botswana, and visit cultural and historical sites. Botswana has also expressed its readiness to collaborate with India on Project Cheetah and the possible translocation of cheetahs from Botswana to India.

Meanwhile, this visit to Angola underscored India's commitment to strengthening ties with Africa and the Global South. This landmark visit builds on recent high-level exchanges, including Angolan President Lourenço's visit to New Delhi in May.

Discussions during the visit furthered the agenda set earlier this year, under which India approved a US$200 million line of credit to help Angola modernize its defense forces. The two sides also discussed finalizing an agreement aimed at facilitating Angola's acquisition of defense equipment from India.