Kigali, 24 July 2018
President Kagame yesterday held bilateral talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his delegation. The Premier is on a two-day State Visit to Rwanda; a visit aimed to strengthen further bilateral ties between Rwanda and India.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit follows President Kagame’s recent trips to India. In March this year, the Head of State attended the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Founding Summit in New Delhi. Prior to that, President Kagame had also taken part in the 8th Vibrant Gujarat Summit in January 2017.
Addressing a joint press conference at the conclusion of their bilateral talks yesterday, the two leaders highlighted that the visit – a first by an Indian Prime Minister – represents a milestone in the long-standing friendship and cooperation between Rwanda and India.
“Our two countries share similar ambitions for the prosperity and well-being of our citizens, and we appreciated India’s support to Rwanda’s development agenda,” President Kagame said.
Today, Prime Minister Modi paid respect to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi at the Kigali Genocide Memorial and visited Rweru Model Village in Bugesera District where he donated 200 cows to vulnerable families as part of the Girinka Programme.
The two Heads of State also interacted with leading CEOs from India and Rwanda during a Business Forum that convened private sector players, investors and other business people from the two nations.
“Rwanda is keen to learn from the renowned “Make in India” experience. As we implement our own “Made in Rwanda” policy, particularly in the manufacturing, construction, and the Information, Communication and Technology sector,” President Kagame told the Business Forum.
Prime Minister Modi stressed that Rwanda’s leadership focuses on good governance, development, prosperity, and peace posing itself as a country full of opportunities to explore.
“In Rwanda, every window of opportunity leads to another window of opportunity which leads to a palace of opportunity,” PM Modi said.
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Rwanda and India in 1999, cooperation has grown steadily. India is in the process of acquiring a Chancellery for their resident Mission in Rwanda. Cooperation between the two countries is focused on infrastructure, trade, agriculture, ICT, capacity building, energy and defence sectors.
Investment projects from India have increased from 66 last year to 91 this year with a special focus on ICT, manufacturing and agro-processing. Rwanda’s exports to India include mainly Aluminium waste and scrap, cereal flours and dairy spreads. The national carrier, RwandAir, operates four flights a week to Mumbai.