Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Textiles, Pabitra Margherita, will embark on an official visit to three African nations — Eswatini, Lesotho, and South Africa — from July 18 to 25. The visit aims to deepen bilateral ties and strengthen India’s development partnerships in the region.

From July 18–22, Margherita will visit the Kingdom of Eswatini and the Kingdom of Lesotho. In Eswatini, he is scheduled to call on King Mswati III and the Prime Minister. He will also hold talks with the Foreign Minister to review bilateral ties and discuss cooperation in trade, capacity building, and people-to-people exchanges. Events with the Indian diaspora and showcases of India’s development support in the country are also on the agenda.

In Lesotho, he will meet King Letsie III, Prime Minister Samuel Matekane, and key cabinet members from ministries handling foreign affairs, education, labour, and innovation. This marks the first ministerial-level visit from India to Lesotho in nearly a decade.

From July 23–25, the minister will travel to South Africa to represent India at the G20 Development Ministerial Meetings (DMM) in Skukuza. He is expected to meet with South African Minister Maropene Lydia Ramokgopa and other G20 delegates, including ministers from member nations and heads of international organizations.

On the sidelines, Margherita will engage in bilateral meetings and connect with Indian communities and business leaders across the three countries.

The Ministry of External Affairs emphasized that the visit reaffirms India’s commitment to fostering strong South-South cooperation and expanding its diplomatic footprint in Africa.