Nov 16: Minister of State for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs Shri V. Muraleedharan, MoS(VM) paid an official visit to the Republic of Rwanda to Co-Chair the first India-Rwanda Joint Commission Meeting (JCM), held on 14-15 November 2021, in Kigali.
During the visit, MoS 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. MoS(VM) briefed the President of Rwanda about the deliberations that were held in the JCM. MoS(VM) 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.
MoS (VM) Co-Chaired the JCM with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Rwanda, Dr. Vincent Biruta. Both sides discussed 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. 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, MoS (VM) visited 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. During the visit, MoS (VM) inaugurated the India-Rwanda Entrepreneurship Development centre in Kigali, which has been built with Indian grant assistance. MoS(VM) also interacted with the Indian community and appreciated their contribution in building socio-cultural & commercial ties between the two countries.
MoS’s visit to Rwanda helped to sustain the momentum created by the visit of Hon’ble 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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