Archive · 12 Nov 2025
President Murmu Begins Historic State Visit to Botswana
India's President, Droupadi Murmu, has arrived in Botswana for a very special visit.
This is the first time an Indian head of state has ever visited Botswana!
She was welcomed with a 21-gun salute and a guard of honor, showing how good friends India and Botswana are.
During her visit, President Murmu will meet with Botswana's President to talk about many ways their countries can work together.
They want to cooperate more in areas like business, technology, farming, and health.
A big part of their discussion will be about moving eight cheetahs from Botswana to India.
This is part of a project to help protect cheetahs.
President Murmu will also speak to Botswana's lawmakers.
Before coming to Botswana, she was in Angola.
This visit is part of India's effort to build stronger relationships with countries in Africa.
She will be heading back to India on Thursday.
President Droupadi Murmu has arrived in Botswana for a historic state visit, marking the first time an Indian head of state has visited the country.
Murmu received a ceremonial welcome including a 21-gun salute and a guard of honour.
The visit aims to strengthen bilateral ties and expand cooperation across multiple sectors.
A key aspect of the visit includes the translocation of eight cheetahs from Botswana's Kalahari desert to India under Project Cheetah.
President Murmu will hold delegation-level talks, address the Parliament of Botswana, and is expected to meet the Indian community before departing on Thursday.
- Who
- Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Botswana President Duma Gideon Boko
- What
- State visit to Botswana focusing on strengthening bilateral ties and initiating the translocation of cheetahs.
- When
- Arrived Tuesday, November 11, the visit includes delegation-level talks and an address to Parliament on Wednesday, departing Thursday.
- Where
- Gaborone, Botswana, with cheetahs to be released into a facility at the Mokolodi nature reserve.
- Why
- To deepen friendship, expand cooperation in various sectors, and advance wildlife conservation efforts, specifically Project Cheetah.
India's Objectives
Botswana's Contributions
Bilateral Relations and Cooperation
India's Objectives
India aims to strengthen bilateral ties and expand cooperation in various sectors including trade, investment, technology, energy, agriculture, health, pharmaceuticals, defense, and people-to-people exchanges.
Botswana's Contributions
Botswana welcomes the state visit to deepen the friendship and explore avenues for expanded cooperation.
Wildlife Conservation
India's Objectives
India seeks to translocate eight cheetahs from Botswana as part of Project Cheetah.
Botswana's Contributions
Botswana is symbolically handing over eight captured cheetahs from the Kalahari desert to India for wildlife conservation.
- President Murmu's Arrival in Botswana
- Tuesday, November 11
- Visit Duration
- Part of a six-day, two-nation Africa visit
- Significance
- First-ever state visit by an Indian head of state to Botswana
- Key Discussions
- Bilateral ties, trade, investment, technology, energy, agriculture, health, pharmaceuticals, defense, people-to-people exchanges, and cheetah translocation
- Cheetah Translocation Details
- Eight cheetahs from the Kalahari desert to be released into a quarantine facility
- Presidential Engagements
- Delegation-level talks with President Boko, address to the Parliament of Botswana, meeting the Indian community
- Departure
- Thursday
Sources
Beyond a ceremonial first, President Murmu’s Angola visit rejuvenates India’s Africa outreach
Prez Murmu concludes 4-day visit to Angola; departs for Botswana
Prez Murmu arrives in Botswana for 3-day state visit; India to get 8 cheetahs
President Droupadi Murmu Begins Historic First-Ever State Visit to Botswana With Ceremonial Welcome
