BY THEMBA ZWANE
MBABANE – Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini has bid farewell to outgoing High Commissioner of India to the Kingdom of Eswatini, H.E. N. Ram Prasad, following India’s appointment of Anand Prakash as his successor.
The farewell meeting was held today at the Private and Cabinet Office, where the Prime Minister reflected on Ram Prasad’s tenure and the enduring friendship between Eswatini and India.
The development follows an Eswatini Positive News exclusive report on India’s appointment of Anand Prakash as the country’s new High Commissioner to the Kingdom.
During the farewell, Prime Minister Dlamini highlighted the fruitful bilateral relations between the two countries, particularly cooperation in education.
He noted that many emaSwati had benefited from scholarships and training opportunities provided by the Government of India, describing the initiatives as an important contribution towards strengthening cooperation and people-to-people ties between the two countries.
The Prime Minister also acknowledged one of the outstanding projects associated with the bilateral relationship – the proposed Parliament Building project.
Dlamini noted that the project had not materialised during Ram Prasad’s tenure, while highlighting the outgoing envoy’s hope that his successor would continue efforts to advance the project towards fruition.
The Prime Minister expressed appreciation to Ram Prasad for his service and contribution to strengthening the warm relations between Eswatini and India.
He wished the outgoing High Commissioner every success in his future endeavours.
Ram Prasad’s departure comes as India prepares to transition its diplomatic representation in Eswatini to Anand Prakash, a senior Indian Foreign Service officer with experience at the Ministry of External Affairs and Indian diplomatic missions abroad.
Prakash’s appointment was announced by India’s Ministry of External Affairs earlier this month, with Indian publication Indian Masterminds reporting that he had been designated as India’s next High Commissioner to Eswatini.
The change of envoy marks a new chapter in the diplomatic relationship between the two countries, with Prakash expected to build on the cooperation established during Ram Prasad’s tenure.
Education remains one of the notable areas of cooperation, with Indian scholarships and training opportunities having provided emaSwati with opportunities to acquire skills and qualifications.
The Prime Minister’s farewell to Ram Prasad therefore comes at a time of diplomatic transition, while signalling Eswatini’s appreciation for India’s continued engagement with the Kingdom.
#Eswatini #India #AnandPrakash #NRamPrasad #Diplomacy #IndiaEswatiniRelations #EswatiniPositiveNews
