{The Indian Minister of State for Rural Development, Sudarshan Bhagat, was in Rwanda for an official visit as the Special Envoy of the Indian Prime Minister on July 15-16, 2015.}
The purpose of the visit was to deliver letters of invitation to H.E President Paul Kagame and to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Louise Mushikiwabo, to the upcoming India-Africa Forum Summit III, which will take place in New Delhi from 26 to 30 October 2015.
Bhagat expressed his gratitude to be received by Min. Mushikiwabo and said he was honoured to be Special Envoy of his Prime Minister, Narendra Modi to deliver invitation letter to Rwanda’s high officials to attend the India-Africa Summit
He explained that India attaches a great importance on its relationships with as both share in common history, challenges and goods.
Minister Bhagat said that “My country is still committed to all kinds of partnership to its African friend-countries, and I am happy to see that Rwanda has benefited all training slots offered under ITEC, and I am also pleased by the inauguration of Nyabarongo Power Plant and TVET Center in a last couple of months” said Minister Bhagat
He informed Min. Mushikiwabo that during his visit, he met members of the Indian Association of Rwanda, (INAR), and they expressed their gratitude to the Government of Rwanda for the way they enjoy the security, economic and social atmosphere in Rwanda.
In her remarks, Minister Louise Mushikiwabo thanked the Minister of state for his visit and the message he conveyed. She added that the Government of Rwanda attaches a lot of value on its relations with India.
“The Government of Rwanda is ready to take the bilateral relations to another level, going beyond Rwanda, East African Community and Africa in general” said Mushikiwabo.
The India–Africa Forum Summit is the official platform for the African-Indian relations. It was first held from April 4 to April 8, 2008 in New Delhi.
India and Rwanda enjoy good bilateral relations but also support each other in a number of International Organizations. In 1999, Rwanda officially opened its Mission in New Delhi and posted a Chargé d’ Affaires. A first resident Ambassador in New Delhi was appointed in 2005. India is represented in Rwanda by its High Commissioner in Kampala.
The Republic of Rwanda and the Republic of India cemented their bilateral relations by signing three memorandums of understanding on the establishment of join permanent commission, renewable energy cooperation and the solar electrification of the 35 schools in rural Rwanda.
The Indian government has been supporting Rwandan initiatives in many ways including; a loan of 80 million dollars for the construction of 27.5 megawatts hydro-electric project in the Nyabarongo River, Telemedicine and Tele-education centers under the e-network project which were inaugurated at KFH (King Faisal Hospital) and KIE (Kigali Institute of Education) in 2009, 13 scholarships to India for Rwandan students as well as 40 slots open for training for government officials.
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