The Indian government has presented a fleet of 6 school buses to the Government of Sao Tome and Principe, officials said on Friday.

In a ceremony held in Sao Tome on Thursday, these buses were handed over to Isabel Maria Correia Viegas de Abreu, Minister of Education, Culture, Science and Higher Education of Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe by Deepak Miglani, Ambassador of India to the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe.

"India’s gift is in response to the request received from the Government of Sao Tome and Principe, seeking India’s assistance in making school education more accessible," read the statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs.

The MEA said the assistance will reinforce the school transport fleet of Sao Tome and Principe, and provide safer commute for students and reduce education costs for families and facilitate their access to school education.

"Earlier, in January 2025, the Government of India sent a consignment of medical supplies, comprising essential and life-saving medicines to buttress the healthcare sector of Sao Tome and Principe," read the statement.

India- Sao Time and Principe relationship

India and Sao Tome and Principe enjoy close and friendly relations and are diversifying their bilateral cooperation. The gift of school buses to the friendly people of Sao Tome and Principe is part of India's development assistance to the Global South.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal wrote on X: " Strengthening connectivity, supporting Sustainable Development Goals."

"Government of gifted 6 school buses to the Government of Sao Tome and Principe," he said.

"This assistance would facilitate access to school education for Sao Tomean students, providing safer commute & reducing education costs for families living in distant areas," he said.