Feb 20: The second Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between India and Eswatini were held in Mbabane on February 19, 2024. The Indian side was led by Shri Puneet R. Kundal, Additional Secretary (East & Southern Africa), Ministry of External Affairs of the Republic of India and the Eswatini side was led by Mr Sizwe Newman Ntshangase, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Eswatini.
During the FOC, both delegations reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relationship between India and Eswatini, covering political exchanges, development partnership projects, defence cooperation, trade and economic matters, consular issues, and cooperation in areas including Agriculture, Education, Health, Digital Technology, Renewable Energy, Art & Culture, etc. Both sides expressed satisfaction over the existing bilateral ties and noted the need to strengthen them further. It was noted that India opened its High Commission in Eswatini in 2019 and that India looks forward to the opening of the High Commission of Eswatini in India at the earliest to continue this momentum in bilateral relations.
Both sides also discussed multilateral issues of mutual interest, including UN Security Council reforms, Peace and Security in Eastern & Southern Africa, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), Southern African Development Community (SADC) and Southern African Customs Union (SACU). It was also noted with satisfaction that during India’s G-20 Presidency, the African Union joined the G20 as a permanent member.
Both sides agreed to continue high-level political exchanges and regular meetings of the joint institutional mechanisms to keep the partnership vibrant and mutually beneficial.
The talks were held in a friendly and cordial atmosphere. Both sides agreed to hold the next round of Consultations at mutually convenient dates in 2025 in New Delhi.
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