Union Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister C.P. Joshi on Wednesday underlined the need to promote cooperation between India and Lesotho in areas of rural development and local self governance.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations of the Kingdom of Lesotho, Mohlabi Kenneth Tsekoa called on Joshi at his Krishi Bhawan office here.

Tsekoa evinced keen interest in various programs run by the Ministry and sought India's co-operation in strengthening the rural development machinery in his country.

He lauded India's progress in local self governance and called for India's support in training the professionals from Lesotho.

In his remarks Joshi highlighted measures undertaken by the Centre to ameliorate the conditions of rural masses especially the rural poor.

Joshi also shared the experiences of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act towards rural employment, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) towards rural road connectivity, Indira Awas Yojana directed towards rural housing and National Land Records Management Program towards digitizing the land records with the visiting dignitary.

He suggested that the two countries could look forward to promote co-operation in training of professionals in these areas geared towards the uplift of villagers.

Tsekoa appreciated the role played by India in promoting co-operation in various fields . He was accompanied by the High Commissioner of Lesotho in India.

Senior officials from the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Ministry were present on this occasion. (ANI)