MBABANE: King Mswati III has received the letters of credence of Taiwan’s Ambassador designate Ching Lin Tsuei and India’s High Commissioner designate Anand Prakash, as Eswatini seeks to deepen cooperation with both countries across key areas of its development agenda.
The credentials were presented to the King at Lozitha Royal Palace, where discussions focused on expanding bilateral relations in education, tourism, agriculture, cultural exchange and information and communication technology.
The King said Eswatini remained committed to strengthening its cooperation with India and Taiwan, while encouraging the incoming envoys to explore additional opportunities for collaboration in sectors that can contribute to economic development, prosperity and transformation.
For Taiwan, the engagement comes as the two sides prepare for the King’s forthcoming state visit to Taiwan on 8 October.
Tsuei thanked the King for the welcome extended to her and spoke of the longstanding relationship between Taiwan and Eswatini, which has lasted nearly six decades.
“Allow me to express my sincere gratitude to Your Majesty for your gracious welcome. Over the years, I have come to know & deeply appreciate the warmth of the Kingdom and its people, as well as the enduring friendship that has brought our two countries together for nearly six decades.”
The Taiwanese envoy also expressed appreciation for the reception accorded to President Lai Ching te during his state visit to Eswatini in May.
“I would also like to express our heartfelt appreciation for the warm and gracious hospitality extended to President Lai Ching-te during his State visit to Eswatini in May. This historic visit demonstrated not only the strength of our diplomatic relations, but also the genuine warmth, trust, and friendship between our two peoples.”
Tsuei said the presidential visit had provided fresh momentum to relations between the two countries and expressed anticipation for the King’s upcoming visit to Taiwan.
“It gave new momentum to a relationship built over generations, and reaffirmed the strong foundation on which we can continue to build together. We also look forward with great anticipation to the honour of welcoming Your Majesty to Taiwan for your forthcoming State Visit on 8 October.”
She also outlined several projects Taiwan intends to advance with Eswatini under the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project.
“Through the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project, we will continue to advance strategic initiatives, including the Taiwan Industrial Innovation Park and the Strategic Oil Reserve Facility. By bringing together government partnership, private sector investment, technology, and trade, we hope to create new opportunities for Emaswati’s economic transformation and further strengthen business -to-business ties between our two countries.”
India’s incoming High Commissioner Prakash described relations between India and Eswatini as longstanding and rooted in mutual respect and cooperation.
“India and Eswatini share old & deep-rooted ties, and our bilateral relations have been close, friendly, and cordial. India cherishes its longstanding friaendship with Eswatini that is founded on the principles of mutual respect, solidarity and our shared commitment to the priorities of the Global South.”
Prakash also thanked King Mswati III for providing land for the construction of India’s High Commission in Eswatini.
“We wholeheartedly thank Your Majesty for the kind gesture of a plot of land for constructing the High Commission building. It gives me great pleasure to inform Your Majesty that we have signed the lease deed and have taken possession of the plot of land so graciously gifted by Your Majesty and we hope to begin construction of our new Chancery soon. I am also glad that the Kingdom of Eswatini has opened a Residential Mission in New Delhi.”
Education and skills development featured prominently in India’s engagement with Eswatini, with Prakash noting the use of scholarships provided through the India Africa Maitri Scholarship Scheme administered by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations.
“I am happy to note that Eswatini has utilised about 130 scholarships under the India – Africa Maitri Scholarship Scheme of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in the last four years. Seeing the overwhelming response in utilisation of the slots by the Kingdom of Eswatini, I am happy to state the Indian Government has increased the number of scholarships from 30 to 40 this year.”
India has also introduced specialised opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
“Also, it is my honour to state that the Indian Government has curated special courses on science, technology, engineering and mathematics ( STEM) under which one slot has been offered to Eswatini per year.”
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