The Indian government has sent a humanitarian assistance consignment to Lesotho which comprises 1000 metric tonnes of rice to address food security and nutritional recruitment of the people in the country.

Sharing images of the consignment on X, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal wrote: "A consignment of 1000 MT rice, today departed from Nhava Sheva Port for Lesotho."

"The consignment will help in addressing food security and nutritional requirements of the friendly people of Lesotho," Jaiswal said.

India-Lesotho relationship

India and Lesotho enjoy a strong relationship that has stood the test of time and is based on shared values and principles, underpinned by the noble objective of South-South cooperation, reads the Indian High Commission in Pretoria website. 

The bilateral trade between the two countries is minimal. India’s import data from Lesotho is not available.

However, the figure for Indian exports for 2022-23 is US$15.06 million. Major items of Indian exports include pharmaceuticals, cotton, and machinery. 

The Duty-Free Tariff Preference (DFTP) Scheme announced by the Prime Minister at the India-Africa Forum Summit in New Delhi in April 2008 has been offered and accepted by Lesotho.

Indian Community

There are about 4000 Indian expatriates and PIOs in Lesotho working as teachers, accountants and other professionals.

Some of them are engaged in business as well. The community has a reasonably high economic profile in the country.

There is an Indian Association which organises periodic functions and has hosted well-attended cultural performances by troupes sent by ICCR from time to time.