India extends $200 m line of credit to Rwanda

India has extended $200 million line of credit to Rwanda for its economic development, signed a defence cooperation agreement and will soon open a High Commission here as part of India’s efforts to bolster the strategic ties with the fast-developing East African country.

After his one-on-one talks with Rwandan President Paul Kagame yesterday evening, Modi announced that India will soon open its High Commission in Rwanda.

“We are going to open a High Commission in Rwanda. This will not only establish communication between our respective governments but also enable facilities for consular, passport, visa,” Modi said at a joint press meet.

Modi, who is the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Rwanda, noted that the relationship between the two countries have stood the test of time.

“It is a matter of honour for us that India has stood with Rwanda in their economic development journey,” Modi said, adding that India will continue to back Rwanda’s development.

Prime Minister Modi held one-on-one talks with President Kagame and chaired the bilateral delegation level talks. During the talks, both leaders reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral cooperation and expressed satisfaction at the excellent relations between Rwanda and India in the overall context of the strategic partnership.

The two countries signed eight MoUs and agreements on cooperation in the field of defence, trade, agriculture and animal resources.

They agreed on cooperation in defence capacity building, industry, science and technology.

Agreements in the area of Trade, Defence, dairy-cooperation, agriculture, culture, leather and allied sector and Line of Credit for $200 million for the expansion of Special Economic Zone and Irrigation Scheme was signed.

The Prime Minister appreciated the effective utilisation of USD 400 million Lines of Credit extended to Rwanda in the last few years, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a press release today.

The two sides signed MoUs on collaboration in the areas of leather and allied sectors, dairy cooperation, agricultural research and education collaborations between Rwanda Agricultural Board (RAB) and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

The two countries agreed to facilitate, diversify and promote trade and economic cooperation.

Prime Minister also announced the setting up of a Task Force in the field of digital education including the provision of e-library.

This was appreciated by President Kagame in view of the benefits it will bring in the education sector of Rwanda.

President Kagame said that Prime Minister Modi’s visit represents a milestone between the long standing friendship and cooperation between Rwanda and India.

Modi arrived in Rwanda yesterday on the first leg of his three-nation Africa tour as part of India’s outreach to the resource-rich continent, soon after Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Kigali.

Prime Minister gifted two hundred cows, as a contribution from India to the Scheme under ‘Girinka programme’ He addressed a business event jointly organised by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Rwanda Development Board.

Prime Minister announced gifting of 100,000 books of the National Council of Education Research and Training (NCERT) books, setting up of the Entrepreneurship Development Centre in Kigali which would provide training to youth of Rwanda for enhancing their skills in a variety of sectors.

India would also provide fully funded 25 slots for short term-training in the field of dairy production and processing.

He also announced the contribution of $10000 each to the Gisozi Genocide Memorial in Kigali and the Imbuto Foundation run by the First Lady of Rwanda towards the education of the girl child.

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