Africa-Press – Lesotho. His Majesty King Letsie III on Wednesday commissioned Ms. Lebohang Mochaba as Lesotho’s High Commissioner to the Republic of India during a ceremony held at the Royal Palace in Maseru.
Present to witness this ceremony included the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations, Mr. Lejone Mpotjoane, Principal Secretary Mr. Thabang Lekhela, senior officers in the Ministry, and Ms.
Mochaba’s family. Giving charge, the King congratulated Ms. Mochaba on her new assignment, expressing hope that she will represent the government of Lesotho and Basotho with dignity and humility in the Republic of India.
He wished her well saying Lesotho is committed towards promoting relations existing between the Mountain Kingdom and other countries. On the same note, Ms.
Mochaba promised to deliver her charge to the best of her abilities so as to cement the relations that exist between Lesotho and the Republic of India.
She added that she will remain aware of Lesotho’s aspirations, expressing appreciation to His Majesty the King, the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs for rendering her support.
India and Lesotho established diplomatic relations on June 08, 1971. As part of strengthening relations, a number of officials of the Lesotho Defence Forces (LDF) have been trained in Indian defence training establishments.
In 2004 and 2010 two loans of credit were signed between the two countries, US$ 5 million for procurement of agricultural equipment from India and US$ 4.7 million for setting up of Vocational Training Centres in Lesotho respectively.
Again, under a tripartite agreement signed by India and Lesotho in October 2001, four Indian agricultural experts/technicians were deputed to Lesotho under the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO)’s special programme for Food Security in Low Income Food Deficit countries.
Subsequently, an Indian Expert was deputed in January 2004 to render assistance in drawing up an irrigation master plan. An India-Lesotho Centre for Advanced Education in Information Technology was set up by India at Lerotholi Polytechnic in Maseru on November 29, 2017, which is a fully funded Government of India project.
On August 02, 2023, Lesotho hosted the 5th round of the Joint Bilateral Commission for Cooperation. There are about 4000 Indian expatriates and Public International Organizations (PIOs) in Lesotho working as teachers, accountants and other professionals.
Some of them are engaged in business as well. The community has a reasonably high economic profile in the country. There is an Indian Association which organises periodic functions and has hosted well-attended cultural performances by troupes sent by the Indian Council for Cultural Relation (ICCR) from time to time.
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