Editing Foreign relations of Lesotho (section)

==Bilateral relations==
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%; margin:auto;"
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! style="width:15%;" | Country
! style="width:12%;" | Formal Relations Began
!Notes 
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|{{flag|Canada}}||<!--Date started-->1967||See [[Canada–Lesotho relations]]
*Canada is represented in Lesotho via parallel accreditation of its high commission in [[Pretoria]], [[South Africa]]<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/southafrica-afriquedusud/bilateral_relations_bilaterales/canada_lesotho.aspx?lang=eng|title=Canada - Lesotho Relations|first=Foreign Affairs Trade and Development Canada|last=Government of Canada|date=25 November 2008|website=GAC|access-date=29 December 2018}}</ref>  and has an honorary consulate in [[Maseru]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/southafrica-afriquedusud/contact-maseru-contactez.aspx?lang=eng |title=Contact and Office Information |access-date=10 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113033955/http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/southafrica-afriquedusud/contact-maseru-contactez.aspx?lang=eng |archive-date=13 January 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref> 
*Since 2006, Lesotho has a high commission in [[Ottawa]]<ref name="auto" /> 
*Both countries are full members of [[Commonwealth of Nations]].
*[[Pakalitha Mosisili]] was educated in through Canadian Government provided scholarships
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|{{flag|Cyprus}}||25 February 2004||
*Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 February 2004.<ref>{{in lang|el}} http://www.olc.gov.cy/olc/olc.nsf/all/710606392EF19C61C22575D70026BED9/$file/List%20of%20Lesotho.pdf?openelement {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113034759/http://www.olc.gov.cy/olc/olc.nsf/all/710606392EF19C61C22575D70026BED9/$file/List%20of%20Lesotho.pdf?openelement |date=13 January 2017 }}</ref> 
*Cyprus is represented in Lesotho through its High Commission in [[Pretoria]], [[South Africa]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mfa.gov.cy/mfa/mfa2016.nsf/mfa32_en/mfa32_en?OpenDocument|title=MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS - Bilateral Relations|website=www.mfa.gov.cy|access-date=29 December 2018}}</ref>
*Lesotho is represented in Cyprus via parallel accreditation of its High Commission in [[London]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mfa.gov.cy/mfa/mfa2016.nsf/All/A3B2074D4DD8FB19C2258029003120C9?OpenDocument|title=MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS - Foreign Diplomatic Missions in Cyprus – International Organizations|website=www.mfa.gov.cy|access-date=29 December 2018}}</ref>
*Both countries are full members of the [[Commonwealth of Nations]]. 
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|{{flag|France}}||||See [[France–Lesotho relations]]
* France is accredited to Lesotho from its embassy in Pretoria, South Africa. 
* Lesotho is accredited to France from its embassy in Berlin, Germany.
|-
|{{Flag|Germany}}

|1966<ref name=":1" />
|
* Germany is represented in Lesotho through its embassy in [[Pretoria]], [[South Africa]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/aussenpolitik/laenderinformationen/lesotho-node/lesotho/235744|title=Lesotho|last=Amt|first=Auswärtiges|website=German Federal Foreign Office|language=en|access-date=2019-10-21}}</ref>
* Lesotho has an embassy in [[Berlin]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.ls/directory/embassy-of-the-kingdom-of-lesotho-germany/|title=Embassy of the Kingdom of Lesotho, Germany|date=2018-04-30|website=Government of Lesotho|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-21}}</ref>
|- valign="top"
|{{flag|Greece}}||31 January 1977||Both countries established diplomatic relations on 31 January 1977<ref>{{Cite book |title=Revue française d'études politiques africaines Issues 133-137 |publisher=Société africaine d'édition |year=1977 |pages=11 |language=fr}}</ref>
*Greece is represented in Lesotho through its embassy in [[Pretoria]], [[South Africa]].<ref name="mfa.gr">{{cite web|url=https://www.mfa.gr/en/blog/greece-bilateral-relations/lesotho/|title=Greece's Bilateral Relations|website=www.mfa.gr|access-date=29 December 2018}}</ref>
*Lesotho is represented in Greece via parallel accreditation of its embassy in [[Rome]], [[Italy]].<ref name="mfa.gr" />
|- valign="top"
|{{flag|India}}||8 June 1971<ref>{{Cite book|title=Southern African Political History: A Chronology of Key Political Events from Independence to Mid-1997|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|year=1999|pages=121}}</ref>||See [[India–Lesotho relations]]
* The High Commission in Pretoria has been concurrently accredited to Lesotho.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indiaafricaconnect.in/index.php?param=news/7499/news/119|title=Welcome To India Africa Connect - News - India appoints honorary consul to Lesotho|access-date=1 September 2015|archive-date=21 April 2014|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140421050223/http://indiaafricaconnect.in/index.php?param=news/7499/news/119|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* Lesotho has a High Commission in [[New Delhi]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foreign.gov.ls/missions/show_missions.php?Country=India|title=Diplomatic List - Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations Lesotho|access-date=1 September 2015|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924014538/http://www.foreign.gov.ls/missions/show_missions.php?Country=India|url-status=dead}}</ref>
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|{{flag|Ireland}}||14 June 2005||
Lesotho has significant relations with [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]. On 13 November 1997, [[Liz O'Donnell]] (Irish Minister for State) spoke about the relationship between the two nations and Ireland's future commitment towards Lesotho. The Irish Prime Minister, [[Bertie Ahern]] visited Lesotho in 2000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2000/0110/taoiseach.html|title=Taoiseach continues visit to Lesotho|date=10 January 2000|work=RTE.ie|access-date=1 September 2015}}</ref> This relationship was further strengthened by a visit from the then [[President of Ireland]] [[Mary McAleese]] between 14 and 16 June 2006 on her speech about the long-standing relationship with Lesotho and shared history between both nations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=5&speech=249&lang=eng|title=Welcome - President.ie|access-date=1 September 2015}}</ref>

The Irish Government has donated aid to Lesotho since 1975. Donations to Lesotho is Ireland's longest running aid programme.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishaid.gov.ie/lesotho.asp|title=404 Page not found - Irish Aid - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade|access-date=1 September 2015}}</ref> On 14 February 2005, Lesotho announced that Ireland is the largest bilateral donor with financial support in excess of M70 million in each of the past three years.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lesotho.gov.ls/articles/2005/PM_Visits_Ireland.htm |title=The Prime Minister Visits Irelandv |access-date=2009-05-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116213937/http://www.lesotho.gov.ls/articles/2005/PM_Visits_Ireland.htm |archive-date=16 January 2009}}</ref> Ireland also supports Lesotho's Flying Doctor Service, education, sanitation, water and various health such as the Fight against AIDS with the [[Clinton Foundation]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lesotho.gov.ls/about/health.php |title=Lesotho Health |access-date=2009-05-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090505153652/http://www.lesotho.gov.ls/about/health.php |archive-date=5 May 2009}}</ref>
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|{{flag|Mexico}}||14 November 1975||

* Lesotho is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lesothoemb-usa.gov.ls/home/ |title=Embassy of Lesotho in the United States |publisher=Lesothoemb-usa.gov.ls |date=2009-08-14 |access-date=2018-12-29}}</ref>
* Mexico is accredited to Lesotho from its embassy in Pretoria, South Africa.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://embamex.sre.gob.mx/sudafrica/ |title=Embassy of Mexico in South Africa |publisher=Embamex.sre.gob.mx |access-date=2018-12-29}}</ref>
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|{{flag|South Korea}}||<!--Date started-->7 December 1966||
Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Republic of Korea and Lesotho is 7 December 1966 and in 2011 Bilateral Trade were Exports $27,330,000, Imports: $290,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mofa.go.kr/ENG/countries/middleeast/countries/20070804/1_24496.jsp?menu=m_30_50|title=Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea-Middle East and Africa|author=Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea|work=Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea|access-date=1 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904015758/http://www.mofa.go.kr/ENG/countries/middleeast/countries/20070804/1_24496.jsp?menu=m_30_50|archive-date=4 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> 
|- valign="top"
|{{flag|Turkey}}||1980||
*Embassy of [[Lesotho]] in [[Rome]] is accredited to Turkey.<ref name="auto70">{{Cite web | url=http://www.mfa.gov.tr/relations-between-turkey-and-lesotho.en.mfa| title= Relations between Turkey and Lesotho}}</ref>
*Turkish ambassador in [[Pretoria]] to [[South Africa]] is also accredited to [[Lesotho]].<ref name="auto70" />
*Trade volume between the two countries was 1.65 million USD in 2019 (Lesotho's exports/imports: 0.03/1.62 million USD).<ref name="auto70" />
|- valign="top"
|{{flag|United Kingdom}}||4 October 1966||
Lesotho established [[Foreign relations of the United Kingdom|diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom]] on 4 October 1966.<ref name="uk"/>
*Lesotho maintains a [[High Commission of Lesotho, London|high commission]] in [[London]].
* The United Kingdom is accredited to Lesotho through its [[British High Commission|high commission]] in Maseru.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-high-commission-maseru|title=British High Commission Maseru|website=[[gov.uk|GOV.UK]]|access-date=11 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910230633/https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-high-commission-maseru|archive-date=10 September 2024|url-status=live}}</ref>

The UK governed [[Basutoland|Lesotho]] from 1884 to 1966, when it achieved full independence.

Both countries share common membership of the [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] and the [[World Trade Organization]], as well as the [[Economic Partnership Agreements|SACUM–UK Economic Partnership Agreement]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Bavier|first=Joe|date=11 September 2019|title=Britain agrees post-Brexit trade deal with southern Africa|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-africa-trade-idUKKCN1VW1N5|website=[[Reuters]]|access-date=17 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218025328/https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-africa-trade-idUKKCN1VW1N5/|archive-date=18 February 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>  Bilaterally the two countries have an Investment Agreement.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://investmentpolicy.unctad.org/international-investment-agreements/treaties/bilateral-investment-treaties/2396/lesotho---united-kingdom-bit-1981-|title=Lesotho - United Kingdom BIT (1981)|website=[[UN Trade and Development]]|access-date=11 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811144728/https://investmentpolicy.unctad.org/international-investment-agreements/treaties/bilateral-investment-treaties/2396/lesotho---united-kingdom-bit-1981-|archive-date=11 August 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>
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|{{flag|United States}}||4 October 1966
15 April 2025||See [[Lesotho-United States relations]]

The United States was one of the first four countries to establish an embassy in [[Maseru]] after Lesotho gained its independence from Great Britain in 1966.  Since this time, Lesotho and the United States have consistently maintained warm bilateral relations.  In 1996, the United States closed its bilateral aid program in Lesotho. The Southern African regional office of the [[U.S. Agency for International Development]] (USAID) in [[Gaborone]], [[Botswana]] now administers most of the U.S. assistance to Lesotho, which totalled approximately $2 million in [[Fiscal year|FY]] 2004. Total U.S. aid to Lesotho is over $69 million, including humanitarian food assistance. The [[Peace Corps]] has operated in Lesotho since 1969.About 69 Peace Corps volunteers concentrate in the sectors of health, agriculture, education, rural community development, and the [[Environment (biophysical)|environment]]. The Government of Lesotho encourages greater American participation in commercial life and welcomes interest from potential U.S. investors and suppliers. In 2007, the Government of Lesotho signed a compact with the [[Millennium Challenge Corporation]] to provide $362.5 million in support to develop Lesotho's water sector, healthcare [[infrastructure]], and private sector.

{{StateDept}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2831.htm#relations |title=Lesotho |publisher=State.gov |date=2018-07-27 |access-date=2018-12-29}}</ref>

The Lesotho Communications Authority granted [[Starlink]], a company owned by [[Elon Musk]] a license to operate for 10 years in Lesotho.<ref>{{Cite web |last=AFP |title=Lesotho grants license to Musk's Starlink |url=https://www.ewn.co.za/2025/04/14/lesotho-grants-license-to-musks-starlink |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=EWN |language=en}}</ref>

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