First-ever Indian Presidential Visit Signals Stronger Engagement with Africa and the Global South New Delhi |Nov 13, 2025 |  www.externalaffairs.in India  marked a major foreign policy milestone on Tuesday as the President of India addressed a special session of the National Assembly of Botswana , becoming the first Indian Head of State to do so. The address — delivered during her State Visit to the Southern African nation — signals New Delhi’s growing diplomatic weight in Africa and reflects its long-term vision of deepening partnerships across the Global South. The President, accompanied by Minister of State V. Somanna and two Members of Parliament, received an exceptionally warm welcome in Gaborone. The visit comes at a strategic moment, ahead of the 60th anniversary of India–Botswana diplomatic relations in 2026 , and amid India’s push to expand high-impact bilateral cooperation on development, trade, and capacity building. Botswana Praised as a Model African Democracy I...