Sequel to the quest to further India’s commitment to greater relations with Africa, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday 23rd of July, 2018 disclosed that India will be opening a High Commission in the African nation of Rwanda.
President Modi while addressing the media in Kigali reiterated the importance to further ties with Rwanda and further stated that “an Indian High Commission will be opened in Rwanda.” India’s current High Commissioner to Rwanda has a residence in Uganda.
New Delhi elevated its ties with Rwanda to that of a Strategic Partnership as it sees that country as an important gateway to eastern Africa.
Raveesh Kumar, External Affairs Ministry spokesman, tweeted that following a one-on-one meeting between both presidents, the move is “to strengthen partnership in trade and investment, capacity building, development partnership and people-to-people ties”.
In his address, Modi appreciated the steps for peace that have been adopted in Rwanda following the mass genocide in that country in 1994. Around 500,000 to one million people were killed in the mass genocide against the Tutsi people by the majority Hutu government of the time.
“For us, it is a matter pride that India is a trusted development partner of Rwanda.” “We have been helping Rwanda in capacity building, infrastructure development and ICT.”
Following the bilateral talks, the two sides several agreements, including in the areas of defense, agriculture and dairy production. Kagame, in his address to the media, said that both sides discussed a range of bilateral, regional and global issues. He also thanked India for its development aid cooperation with Rwanda.
