Culture, education and the Indian community in Botswana

This article covers capacity building and scholarships, cultural and sporting exchanges, and the Indian community living in Botswana. Because the brief is short, training programmes are covered here together with education, rather than in a separate article on development cooperation. All details and figures are taken from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) bilateral brief of April 2026, and describe the position at that date.

Capacity building and scholarships

According to the MEA brief of April 2026, capacity building is "a strong pillar of bilateral ties". India offers ICCR and ITEC scholarships, which the brief describes as highly popular in Botswana.

The brief gives the following figures:

In 2025-26, 54 Batswana students were selected for ICCR scholarships, from over 500 applications.
In the past decade, more than 1,500 students and professionals, civilian and Defence, have benefited from various capacity building programmes.
Eleven researchers from Botswana have availed the C.V. Raman Fellowship for advanced research in India.
For 2026-27, 75 scholarship slots have been provided for students from Botswana to pursue higher studies in India under the ICCR's 'India-Africa Maitri Scholarship Scheme'.

In January 2023, Botswana's Youth, Sports & Culture Minister Mr. Macdonald Rakgare, Minister Bogolo Kenewendo and MP Simon Moabi attended ICCR's Gen Next Democracy Network.

Sports exchanges

The brief records several sports exchanges:

Botswana women's cricket team trained in Bangalore (November 2023).
Botswana men's cricket team trained in Karnataka (August 2025).
Botswana national badminton team visited India for a high performance training camp in January 2026.

Cultural exchanges

Cultural exchanges recorded in the brief include:

A Botswana scouts delegation joined the Republic Day Youth Exchange (January 2024).
A 20-member troupe participated in the Surajkund International Crafts Mela in February 2024.
A 19-member cultural troupe participated in the 39th edition of Surajkund Mela 2026, held in Faridabad, Haryana.

Botswana's Minister of Sports and Arts, Mr. Jacob Kelebeng, visited India to attend the World Audio-Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES 2025) in Mumbai in May 2025.

The Indian community in Botswana

As of the brief, the Indian community in Botswana numbers around 10,000. Its members are engaged in retail, services, healthcare, education, construction and hospitality. They come primarily from Gujarat, Kerala, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu, and the brief states that they play an important role in Botswana's economic and social life.

Around 20 Indian associations are registered in Botswana. The brief names the India Association of Botswana (IAB), Kerala Samajam, Gujarati Samaj and the Telugu Association of Botswana (TAB) as the prominent ones.

Indian festivals such as Diwali, Holi and Onam are celebrated widely, with enthusiastic participation from Batswana friends and local dignitaries, according to the brief.

Since the brief of April 2026

Later developments in India and Botswana relations, from MEA publications, newest first. The article above reports the brief at its date.

Questions and answers

How many ICCR scholarships does Botswana get?

According to the MEA brief of April 2026, 54 Batswana students were selected for ICCR scholarships in 2025-26 from over 500 applications, and 75 slots have been provided for 2026-27 under the India-Africa Maitri Scholarship Scheme.

How many Indians live in Botswana?

As of the brief, the Indian community in Botswana numbers around 10,000, engaged in retail, services, healthcare, education, construction and hospitality.

Which Indian associations are there in Botswana?

Around 20 Indian associations are registered in Botswana. The prominent ones named in the brief are the India Association of Botswana, Kerala Samajam, Gujarati Samaj and the Telugu Association of Botswana.

Sources

This article reports what the sources state at their date and does not add facts from elsewhere. Figures, office holders and agreements may have changed since. Diplo is independent and not affiliated with any government. Suggest a correction.