New Delhi: The second Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between India and Eswatini was held on Monday in which both the delegations reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations between the countries.
The second FOC between India and Eswatini was held in Mbabane on 19 February.
“During the FOC, both delegations reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations between India and Eswatini, including political exchanges, development partnership projects, defense cooperation, trade and economic affairs, consular issues and sectors including agriculture, education, health. “This includes cooperation in digital technology, renewable energy, arts and culture, etc,” according to an official statement.
Furthermore, both sides expressed satisfaction with the existing bilateral relations and noted the need to further strengthen them.
The Indian side was led by Punit Rkekundal, Additional Secretary (Eastern and Southern Africa), Ministry of External Affairs of the Republic of India, and the Eswatini side was led by Sizwe Newman Ntsangse, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Kingdom of Eswatini.
Notably, India opened its High Commission in Estabini in 2019. “India looks forward to opening the High Commission of Eswatini in India at the earliest to continue this momentum in bilateral relations,” the statement said.
The two sides also discussed multilateral issues of mutual interest, including UN Security Council reform, peace and security in Eastern and Southern Africa, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and Southern Africa. African Customs Union (SACU). ,
“It is also noted with satisfaction that during India’s G20 Chairmanship, the African Union joined the G20 as a permanent member,” the statement said.
Furthermore, at the FOC both sides also agreed to continue high-level political exchanges and regular meetings of the Joint Institutional Mechanism to keep the partnership vibrant and mutually beneficial.
The talks took place in a friendly and cordial atmosphere, according to the statement, which added that the next round of consultations will be held in New Delhi in 2025 on mutually convenient dates.
“Both sides agreed to hold the next round of consultations on mutually convenient dates in New Delhi in 2025,” it said. (ANI)
