India gives $28 million to Botswana for development projects

India has extended a $20 million Line of Credit and grant of $8 million to Botswana for development of its social and infrastructure sectors, saying it has both the capacity and desire to assist the diamond-rich African country in its economic growth.

"The grant of $8 million made available by India to the government of Botswana for the social sector projects in agriculture, health and education would deepen our mutual cooperation based on our complementarities and will greatly benefit the people of Botswana," vice president Hamid Ansari said at a dinner hosted in his honour here late last night.

"We believe that our Line of Credit of $20 million can be utilised for development of infrastructure or industrial projects in Botswana," he said.

On the occasion, Botswana vice president Mompati S Merafhe said the two countries should strengthen their collaboration within the framework of 'South-South' cooperation.

He note that the India-Africa summit held last year has opened an opportunity for such collaborations.

Earlier yesterday, the two countries signed two Memoranda of understanding in agriculture and allied sector and exchange programmes in the field of education.

Botswana also backed India's bid for a permanent berth in an expanded United Nations Security Council and both sides felt that there should be reforms in the UN structure to ensure greater representation of the world.