LOZITHA: His Majesty King Mswati III has received the letters of credence of the Ambassador designate of the Republic of China (Taiwan), H.E Ching Lin Tsuei, and the High Commissioner designate of the Republic of India, H.E Anand Prakash, at Lozitha Royal Palace.
The credentials ceremony took place as Eswatini sought to strengthen its longstanding diplomatic relations with both Taiwan and India, with the King calling for greater cooperation across several sectors.
Upon receiving the letters of credence, King Mswati III reaffirmed Eswatini’s commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation with the two countries. 
The King encouraged the incoming envoys to explore additional areas of collaboration, particularly education, tourism, agriculture, cultural exchange and information and communication technology innovations.
He described these sectors as important drivers of economic development, prosperity and transformation.
Speaking during the ceremony, Ambassador Ching Lin Tsuei expressed appreciation for the welcome extended to her and reflected on the longstanding relationship between Taiwan and Eswatini.
“Allow me to express my sincere gratitude to Your Majesty for your gracious welcome. Over the years, I have come to know & deeply appreciate the warmth of the Kingdom and its people, as well as the enduring friendship that has brought our two countries together for nearly six decades.”
She also thanked the King and the people of Eswatini for the hospitality extended to Taiwan’s President Lai Ching te during his state visit to the Kingdom in May.
“I would also like to express our heartfelt appreciation for the warm and gracious hospitality extended to President Lai Ching-te during his State visit to Eswatini in May. This historic visit demonstrated not only the strength of our diplomatic relations, but also the genuine warmth, trust, and friendship between our two peoples.”
According to Tsuei, the visit provided fresh momentum to relations between the two countries and strengthened the foundation for future cooperation.
“It gave new momentum to a relationship built over generations, and reaffirmed the strong foundation on which we can continue to build together. We also look forward with great anticipation to the honour of welcoming Your Majesty to Taiwan for your forthcoming State Visit on 8 October.”
The Taiwanese envoy also outlined several initiatives under the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project, including the Taiwan Industrial Innovation Park and the Strategic Oil Reserve Facility.
“Through the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project, we will continue to advance strategic initiatives, including the Taiwan Industrial Innovation Park and the Strategic Oil Reserve Facility. By bringing together government partnership, private sector investment, technology, and trade, we hope to create new opportunities for Emaswati’s economic transformation and further strengthen business -to-business ties between our two countries.”
India’s High Commissioner designate, Anand Prakash, described relations between India and Eswatini as longstanding and rooted in mutual respect and shared interests.
“India and Eswatini share old & deep-rooted ties, and our bilateral relations have been close, friendly, and cordial. India cherishes its longstanding friendship with Eswatini that is founded on the principles of mutual respect, solidarity and our shared commitment to the priorities of the Global South.”
Prakash also thanked King Mswati III for providing land for the construction of the Indian High Commission in Eswatini.
“We wholeheartedly thank Your Majesty for the kind gesture of a plot of land for constructing the High Commission building. It gives me great pleasure to inform Your Majesty that we have signed the lease deed and have taken possession of the plot of land so graciously gifted by Your Majesty and we hope to begin construction of our new Chancery soon. I am also glad that the Kingdom of Eswatini has opened a Residential Mission in New Delhi.”
The High Commissioner further pointed to India’s education and skills development support for Emaswati through the India Africa Maitri Scholarship Scheme administered by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations.
“I am happy to note that Eswatini has utilised about 130 scholarships under the India – Africa Maitri Scholarship Scheme of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in the last four years. Seeing the overwhelming response in utilisation of the slots by the Kingdom of Eswatini, I am happy to state the Indian Government has increased the number of scholarships from 30 to 40 this year.”
Prakash said India had also introduced specialised opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
“Also, it is my honour to state that the Indian Government has curated special courses on science, technology, engineering and mathematics ( STEM) under which one slot has been offered to Eswatini per year.”
