This article covers India's development partnership with Eswatini, including lines of credit, grants and donations, and training under ITEC and other programmes, together with cooperation in health, energy, defence and agriculture. It is based on the MEA bilateral brief of April 2026.

Lines of credit

According to the MEA brief of April 2026, the Royal Science and Technology Park (RSTP) was constructed with a Government of India Line of Credit of US$20 million. It was inaugurated by President Shri Ram Nath Kovind during his visit in April 2018.

Agreements for two further Lines of Credit were signed in June 2021:

  • US$108.28 million for the construction of the Eswatini Parliament Building
  • US$10.4 million for the establishment of a Disaster Recovery Site for the National Data Center at the RSTP

An Agriculture Development and Mechanization Project under a US$ 37.9 million LOC was completed earlier. The brief states that it improved the maize productivity of Eswatini by multiple times.

Grants announced in April 2018

During the State visit of the President of India in April 2018, India:

  • gave a cash grant of US$1 million to the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA)
  • made an in-kind donation of 700 tons of rice and 300 tons of beans to the NDMA
  • granted medicines and medical equipment worth US$ 3 million
  • announced a grant of US$ 400,000 for irrigation infrastructure in Lubuyane in the Hhohho region

The irrigation project has since been completed. The brief states that it helped local farmers move from subsistence to commercial farming. During the same visit, the First Lady, Mrs. Savita Kovind, donated 500 blankets to the Philani Maswati Foundation and the Khulisa Umntfwana Project, two charitable initiatives patronised by Her Majesty the Queen Mother.

Other donations and projects

India donated medicines worth Rs. 10 million on 26 June 2020. The brief states that India was the first ever country to donate vaccines to Eswatini, with 20,000 doses of Covishield/Covaxin donated on 11 March 2021.

In December 2020, the Board of Directors of the India, Brazil and South Africa Facility for Poverty and Hunger Alleviation (IBSA Trust Fund) approved Eswatini's proposal titled "Addressing Water, Health and Poverty Nexus through WASH initiatives for Covid19 and Climate Change responses in Eswatini" for funding of US$ 999,350.

Training and capacity building

During his visit in April 2018, President Kovind announced an increase in ITEC slots for Eswatini from 30 to 50. The number was raised to 70 from the year 2025-26.

During the Covid19 period, 166 emaSwati took part in 09 eITEC courses, of which 06 were exclusive to Eswatini. The brief states that more than 400 Emaswati government officials have benefited from the ITEC programme so far. Several UEDF officers have used the defence training opportunities offered under ITEC, and the brief notes increasing participation every year.

Eswatini diplomats also attend the Ministry of External Affairs' Professional Course for Foreign Diplomats (PCFD). Ms. Nomfanelo Simelane, Protocol Officer at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation, attended the 69th PCFD from 03-28 October 2022. Mr. Muzi Goodboy Dlamini, also a Protocol Officer, attended the 70th PCFD from 13-31 March 2023. In all, 11 Eswatini officers have taken part in the course so far.

Health

The first meeting of the Joint Working Group on Health Cooperation was held in virtual mode on 13 June 2024. The Indian side was led by Ms V. Hekali Zhimomi, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, and the Eswatini side by Dr V. Okello, Director, Health Services.

Eswatini's Minister of Health, Hon Mduduzi Matsebula, took part in the International Health dialogue held in New Delhi from 22-24 February 2025.

Solar energy and electric mobility

On 26 August 2021, Minister of Natural Resources & Energy Senator Peter Bhembe took part virtually in the Africa Regional Committee Meeting of the International Solar Alliance.

Minister for Natural Resources and Energy HRH Prince Lonkokhela visited India from 27-30 October 2025 to attend the eighth session of the International Solar Alliance Assembly in New Delhi, and to explore electric mobility policy.

Defence

HRH Prince Sicalo Nkopolo Dlamini, Principal Secretary, Ministry of National Defence & Security, led Eswatini's delegation to the 12th Edition of DefExpo 2022, held in Gandhinagar on 18-22 October 2022. His delegation included the UEDF Commander, General Mashikilisane Moses Fakudze, and three other officials. On the sidelines, the delegation took part in the India-Africa Defence Dialogue and confirmed its approval for the Gandhinagar Declaration.

Agriculture

Eswatini's Agriculture Minister, Hon Mandla Tshawuka, visited New Delhi for the AARDO conference in February 2025.