Gaborone: India has signed two deals on agriculture education with Botswana, with visiting Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari also expressing interest in mining in the southern African state. As per sources, the agreements were signed after talks between Ansari and his Botswana counterpart Momfati Merafhe, on the first day of the visit to the country.
Vivek Katju, Secretary (West) in the Indian External Affairs Ministry told reporters that the Vice President has indicated an interest in mining in Botswana. He added that the issue of access to Botswana diamonds was not raised in the talks.
According to the statement of officials, Botswana was grateful of India's role in mutual venture and wanted us to do more. Also, it was the first visit by an Indian senior leader since the visit of the then Vice President R. Venkatraman in 1986 to attend 20th anniversary celebrations of Botswana's independence from the Britain.
