India and Lesotho reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation in development, capacity building, disaster relief and multilateral engagement during the sixth Joint Bilateral Commission for Cooperation in New Delhi…reports London Daily News Desk
India and Lesotho have undertaken a comprehensive review of their bilateral relationship, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening cooperation across a range of sectors including development partnership, capacity building, humanitarian assistance and multilateral engagement.
The discussions took place during the sixth session of the Joint Bilateral Commission for Cooperation (JBCC), held in New Delhi on 30 July.
The meeting was co-chaired by Janesh Kain, Joint Secretary (East and Southern Africa) at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and Thabang Lekhela, Principal Secretary in Lesotho’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations.
According to the MEA, both sides reviewed progress in bilateral cooperation and discussed ways to deepen collaboration in development partnership, capacity building, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), and coordination at the United Nations and other multilateral forums.
In a post on X, the MEA said: “The 6th meeting of the Joint Bilateral Commission for Cooperation (JBCC) between India and Lesotho was held on 30 July 2026 in New Delhi. The meeting was co-chaired by Shri Janesh Kain, Joint Secretary (East and Southern Africa), MEA and Mr. Thabang Lekhela, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations.”
An official statement issued by Lesotho’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations said both delegations reaffirmed their longstanding diplomatic ties and expressed their commitment to broadening cooperation across key areas.
“The JBCC remains the principal institutional mechanism for reviewing bilateral relations, advancing cooperation across key sectors, and identifying new opportunities for mutually beneficial partnership between the two sister countries,” the ministry said.
Established under a bilateral agreement signed in March 2004, the Joint Bilateral Commission for Cooperation serves as the main platform for reviewing relations between the two countries. Its inaugural meeting was held in New Delhi in March 2009, with subsequent sessions alternating between India and Lesotho.
The latest meeting brought together senior government officials from both countries, including representatives from Lesotho’s High Commission in New Delhi and officials working in trade, education, agriculture, food security and tourism.
The two sides also reviewed progress on several proposed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreed to sign them at the earliest opportunity.
According to the Lesotho government, the meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to promoting sustainable development through South-South cooperation while strengthening collaboration in regional and international forums.
India also reiterated its invitation for Lesotho to join the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), describing both initiatives as important platforms for cooperation in renewable energy and infrastructure resilience.
The two countries agreed that the seventh session of the Joint Bilateral Commission for Cooperation will be held in Maseru on dates to be finalised through diplomatic channels.
The meeting reflects the continuing efforts by both nations to expand bilateral engagement and strengthen cooperation across development, trade, education, agriculture and international diplomacy.
