India has sent a humanitarian aid consignment of 1000 metric tonnes of maize (jowar) to the southern African country of Lesotho to address food security issues in the country.

This is the second batch of food grain aid from India to Lesotho which left Mumbai’s Nawa Shewa port on Monday.

“India and Lesotho: Global South partnering with each other. India sends second tranche of food grain aid to people of Lesotho,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal wrote in X.

Earlier in December, India had sent a humanitarian aid package of 1000 metric tons of rice to the nation to meet the food security and nutritional needs of the people of Lesotho.

India and Lesotho enjoy a strong relationship based on shared values ​​and principles that are time-tested and grounded in the noble cause of South-South cooperation.

The two countries have frequently interacted through various platforms.

In October 2024, the Indian GCC Trade Council organized the South-South Cooperation Meeting at the United Nations, which was attended by other partners including the ambassadors of the Kingdom of Lesotho.

In early August 2024, India and Lesotho also held the 5th round of the Joint Bilateral Cooperation Commission.

During the meeting, the two sides conducted a comprehensive review of existing bilateral relations, including enhancing cooperation in the areas of development partnerships, trade and economic relations, energy, agriculture, health, arts and culture and consular affairs.

According to the MEA, there are about 4000 Indian expatriates and PIOs working as teachers, accountants and other professionals in Lesotho. Some of them are also engaged in business. The community has a reasonably high economic profile within the country. There is an Indian association which organizes festivals from time to time and has held well-attended cultural shows by teams sent by ICCR.