Bokang Mofoka
LESOTHO and India have reaffirmed their longstanding friendship and commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, as India marked its 80th Independence Day at a celebration held over the weekend in Maseru.
The event brought together members of the diplomatic community, government officials, representatives of international organisations, business figures and other guests.
Speaking during the celebrations, Minister of Law and Justice Richard Ramoeletsi described Lesotho and India as partners whose cooperation continues to expand across areas of mutual interest, and said India’s development journey since independence offered an important example of how a nation can transform itself through determination, investment in its people and sustained development.
Mr Ramoeletsi said the two countries had maintained warm diplomatic relations while continuing to identify opportunities for closer cooperation, and that this friendship provided a solid foundation on which to build further cooperation in areas that could contribute directly to both countries’ development. He expressed appreciation for India’s engagement with Lesotho and emphasised the value of continued people-to-people and government-to-government relations.
India gained independence from British colonial rule on 15 August 1947. The 80th anniversary offered an occasion to reflect on the sacrifices of the country’s freedom fighters and the progress made over the eight decades since.
Indian Consul to Lesotho Biju Abraham Korah paid tribute to those who fought for India’s independence, saying their sacrifices had laid the foundation for the country’s development.
“On this day of independence, we extend our heartiest greetings to you all on the eve of the 80th Independence Day,” Mr Korah said, describing the anniversary as a “momentous occasion” marking the historic day India gained independence from British rule in 1947.
Korah said India’s journey since independence had been marked by significant achievements in technology, science, education and agriculture, positioning the country as an important global partner and creating opportunities for cooperation with developing nations.
“India’s advances in technology and science have positioned it as an important global partner, while its experience in agriculture, education and other sectors has created opportunities for cooperation with developing countries,” he said.
For Lesotho, he said, India remained an important development and diplomatic partner, with cooperation spanning education, capacity building, health, agriculture, technology and trade, sustained through bilateral mechanisms aimed at identifying new areas of cooperation.
Mr Korah said the anniversary was not only a moment for celebration but also an opportunity to reflect on the responsibilities that come with freedom and development. He noted that India had since emerged as one of the world’s largest economies and a major player in global affairs, with advances spanning information technology, space science, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, agriculture and education – an experience that had made it an important partner for countries across Africa, including Lesotho.
“For Lesotho, deeper engagement with India could create further opportunities in skills development, technology transfer, investment and economic cooperation,” he said.
