Mbabane — The High Commission of India in Mbabane today celebrated ITEC Day, marking 61 years of the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation programme and its impact on Eswatini’s development.
The event drew senior government officials, including Minister of Public Service Mabulala Maseko, Minister of Foreign Affairs Pholile Dlamini Shakantu, National Police Commissioner Vusi Manoma Masango, representatives of the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force, senior civil servants and ITEC alumni.
Speaking at the gathering, His Excellency Mr. N. Ram Prasad, High Commissioner of India to Eswatini, said the programme symbolises a long-standing partnership between India and Eswatini built on shared values and mutual respect. Since India opened its mission in Mbabane in 2019, more than 400 emaSwati have been trained in areas ranging from governance, policing and defence to finance, health, technology and agriculture.
Eswatini’s security forces remain among the main beneficiaries, with officers from the UEDF, His Majesty’s Correctional Services and the Royal Eswatini Police Service receiving specialised training. Treasury officials, educators and health professionals have also gained advanced skills through the initiative.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, 166 emaSwati participated in nine online training courses, six of which were tailored specifically for Eswatini. India currently provides 50 civilian and 20 defence training slots annually for the Kingdom.
The programme, launched in 1964, offers fully funded training and has evolved to include new fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, nanotechnology and forensics. Eswatini participants have been enrolled in leading Indian institutions, including the Indian Institutes of Technology and Management.
The High Commissioner said alumni of the scheme continue to bring back fresh ideas and skills that support reforms and capacity building within their institutions.
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