Maseru, Lesotho – King Letsie III officially welcomed His Excellency Mr. Prabhat Kumar as the new Indian High Commissioner to Lesotho in a ceremony at the Royal Palace on December 14th, 2023. Mr. Kumar, based in Pretoria, South Africa, takes over from Mr. Jaideep Sarkar, who concluded his term in March.
The two nations, bound by a 27-year diplomatic friendship, share a strong foundation of mutual respect and non-interference. This has fostered a vibrant partnership marked by economic cooperation, cultural exchange, and unwavering support on global issues.
India’s commitment to Lesotho is evident. In 2010, they provided a USD 4.7 million Line of Credit through the Export-Import Bank, empowering women and youth through vocational training centers. A Joint Bilateral Cooperation Commission (JBCC) Agreement, signed in 2004, further solidifies this collaboration.
Currently, Memoranda of Understanding are being negotiated in sectors like agriculture, health, mining, sports, and arts and culture, paving the way for even deeper ties. The last JBCC meeting took place in Maseru on August 2nd, 2023, and the next one is scheduled for New Delhi, India in 2024, as per the agreement’s provisions.
High Commissioner Kumar expressed his commitment to strengthening the existing economic and development partnerships. He highlighted the importance of education and skills development for Lesotho’s future and emphasized ongoing cooperation in these areas. King Letsie III welcomed Mr. Kumar and expressed his confidence in the continued growth of the Lesotho-India friendship.