Both sides agreed to work with each other for early conclusion of pending MoUs and carry forward the work under the existing institutional mechanisms…reports Asian Lite News.
India and Rwanda have expressed their interest in enhancing cooperation in areas like health, ICT, civil aviation, energy, security and infrastructure development.
This was discussed during Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan’s official visit to the Republic of Rwanda on November 14-15.
He co-chaired the first India-Rwanda Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Rwanda Vincent Biruta in Kigali, said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
Both sides discussed the existing state of bilateral relations in areas of mutual interest including health, energy, agriculture, ICT, education, civil aviation, culture, defence, security and infrastructure development and expressed interest to enhance cooperation in these areas.
According to the MEA, the two sides also discussed regional, international & multilateral issues.
Both sides agreed to work with each other for early conclusion of pending MoUs and carry forward the work under the existing institutional mechanisms.
The Rwandan side expressed their thanks for the developmental aid and co-operation being provided by India.
During the visit, Muraleedharan called on President of the Republic of Rwanda Paul Kagame.
President Kagame conveyed his greetings to Prime Minster Modi and spoke about the strategic partnership between India and Rwanda and expressed his desire to work with India to achieve the full potential of this special relationship.
He also invited the Indian leadership to participate in the CHOGM summit to be held in Rwanda in 2022.
Muraleedharan briefed the President of Rwanda about the deliberations that were held in the JCM. The MoS recalled President Kagame’s visits to India and also thanked him for addressing the Raisina dialogue virtually in April 2021.
He also invited President Kagame to visit India for an official visit.
During the visit, MoS Muraleedharan visited the Nyabarongo Hydro-electric Power project which was completed in 2015 under Government of India’s Lines of Credit of US$ 80 million.
He also visited Kigali Genocide Memorial and paid floral tributes.
The MoS External Affairs inaugurated the India-Rwanda Entrepreneurship Development centre in Kigali, which has been built with Indian grant assistance. He also interacted with the Indian community and appreciated their contribution in building socio-cultural & commercial ties between the two countries.
According to the MEA, the MoS’s visit to Rwanda helped to sustain the momentum created by the visit of Prime Minister of India to Rwanda in 2018 and marked the successful holding of the first ever Joint Commission Meeting that set out a road map for future engagements.
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