Prime Minister Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome in Uganda
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Uganda today as part of his five-day, three-nation tour to African countries.
The Prime Minister's aircraft landed at Entebbe International Airport, marking the start of his two-day Uganda visit - the first bilateral tour by an Indian prime minister since 1997.
He was accorded a red carpet welcome at the airport. His programme in Uganda include, a call on President Yoweri Museveni, restricted and delegation-level talks, and participation at a India-Uganda joint business event.
PM Modi will also address the Ugandan Parliament, the first Indian prime minister to do so. He will also address an Indian community event here.
From Uganda, PM Modi will head to South Africa to participate in the BRICS Summit, whose theme this year is 'BRICS in Africa'.
Here are the highlights of PM Modi's Africa visit:
PM Modi had made the following points on the Parliament of Uganda :
Our partnership will build instruments of empowerment in Africa.
Just as India and Africa fought colonialism together, we will work together for a just, representative and democratic global order that has a voice and a role for one-third of humanity that lives in Africa and India
We will keep our markets open and make it easier and more
attractive to trade with India.
Our development partnership will be guided by your priorities. It will be on terms that will be comfortable for you, that will liberate your potential and not constrain your future.
Africa has 60% of the world's arable land, but produces just 10% of the global output. We will work with you to improve Africa's agriculture.
We fought together to make development the foundation of globlal trade. Our doctors and teachers went to Africa not just to seek professional opportunities but in solidarity to a common cause of development.
India pursued Afro-Asian solidarity in Bandung (in Indonesia).
Gandhiji's peaceful relations inspired Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu and many other leaders.
Some of the most profound changes to Africa came through Gandhian philosophy.
At the sacred site in Jinja, where a statue of Gandhiji now stands, we will build a Gandhi Heritage Centre.
As we approach the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, there can be no better homage than a Centre to remind us of Africa's role in shaping his mission, says PM Modi.
Uganda is the pearl of Africa. It is a land of great wealth of resources and rich heritage: PM Narendra Modi at Ugandan Parliament
Mr President, your visionary leadership has enabled Ugandans of Indian origin to return to their home, regain their lives and help rebuild the nation that they love.
In opening the State House to celebration of Deepawali, you have lit up the many strands of ties that bind us, said PM Modi
Our ancient maritime links, the dark age of colonialism, the shared struggle for freedom, the uncertain paths as independent countries in a divided world, the dawn of the new opportunities and the unity of aspirations of our young population, all of this connect us: PM
I am conscious of the history that brings us to this point, when the Prime Minister of the largest democracy is speaking to elected members of the Parliament of another sovereign nation, said PM Modi.
The PM of the largest democracy is speaking to elected parliament of another sovereign nation, says PM Modi in Uganda parliament.
PM Modi is about to speak at the Uganda parliament, first-ever address by an Indian PM
The stage is all set for the first-ever address by an Indian Prime Minister at the Parliament of Uganda. PM @narendramodi, Ugandan President Museveni, Speaker of the Parliament and Members of Parliament seated in the House.
"We have to fully exploit the favourable conditions for doing business between India and Uganda," says PM Modi
India is willing to take steps to address the trade deficit between India and Uganda, says PM Modi
India is ready to work with Uganda in the fields of capacity building, HRD, skill development, innovation and also in adding value to the abundant natural resources available in this country.
When Africa was under a crisis, when nobody knew that even Africa can be useful to all, when nobody had time to think about Uganda's issues, it was only India who actually thought about Uganda, said PM Modi
President of Uganda is right in saying there is a trade imbalance between India and Uganda. I have come here to solve that: PM Narendra Modi addressing India-Uganda Business Forum in Kampala
India is a policy driven governance, where there is tax stability & predictable taxation. That is why investment, for anyone, is easy here: PM Narendra Modi at India-Uganda Business Forum
PM Narendra Modi tweeted saying his talks with Ugandan president Kaguta Museveni included sectors such as defence, innovation, investment and tourism. Together, India and Uganda can make a meaningful contribution to humanity.
Four agreements signed between Uganda and India:
On his part, Mr Museveni also addressed the media in a joint statement and spoke about boosting ties:
- He said that the two sides emphasised on trade, investment and tourism during today's talks.
- Inviting Indians to visit Uganda, he said that promoting tourism would go a long way in boosting bilateral trade.
- In this connection, he sought permission for Ugandan Airlines to fly to Mumbai.
- According to Mr Museveni, one of PM Modi's suggestions during the talks was for Indian companies to invest in Uganda's healthcare sector.
India and Uganda on Tuesday agreed to boost bilateral cooperation in the areas of economy and defence following delegation-level talks co-chaired by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni. Here are the main pointers from PM Modi's Uganda visit:
- "India will always support Uganda's economic development and nation-building efforts," PM Modi said in a joint address to the media.
- PM Modi said that both he and Mr Museveni will meet CEOs of both countries tomorrow.
- PM Modi also announced two lines of credit worth nearly $200 million for energy infrastructure, agriculture and dairy sectors.
- PM Modi said that it is a matter of great satisfaction that defence cooperation between the two countries is progressing well.
Prime Minister Modi in his statement to the press in Uganda has said that, he thanks the President of Uganda for a warm welcome.
He said that Uganda always has been close to our hearts and will continue to stay so. He added that that cooperation between the two countries is growing and even in security matters our cooperation is progressing
Prime Minister Modi addresses the press in Uganda.
Prime Minister Modi announces two Lines of Credit worth nearly $200 mn in energy infrastructure, agriculture and dairy sector for Uganda after delegation level talks.
External Affairs ministry spokesperson has tweeted regarding the ceremonial reception held in Uganda for Prime Minister Modi.
Prime Minister Modi held delegation level talks with the President Uganda Yoweri Museveni in Entebbe today.
Prime Minister Modi while addressing the India Rwanda Business Forum interacted with the business community from both countries.
Prime Minister Modi was given a ceremonial welcome and has met Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni
Prime Minister Modi has arrived in Uganda and is expected to meet the President of Uganda Yoweri Museveni.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today visited the Genocide Memorial Centre here which honours over 250,000 victims of Rwanda's mass killings in 1994, according to a Press Trust of India report.
The memorial is the final resting place for more than 250,000 victims of the genocide against the Tutsi -- the principal ethnic community in Rwanda, the PTI report says.
It includes three permanent exhibitions, the largest of which documents the 1994 genocide.
There is also a children's memorial and an exhibition on the history of genocidal violence around the world. The education centre, gardens, and Genocide Archive of Rwanda contribute to a meaningful tribute to those who perished, and provide a powerful educational experience for visitors, according to the memorial's website.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted on PM Modi's Rwanda visit, along with photos showing PM Modi visiting the Genocide Memorial Centre in Rwanda's Kigali.
"The memorial honours the victims of the worst excesses of violence. It is also symbolic of the admirable and exemplary process of reconciliation Rwanda has embarked upon," he said in his tweet.
India has extended USD 200 million lines of credit to Rwanda for its economic development, signed a defence cooperation agreement and will soon open a High Commission here as part of New Delhi's efforts to bolster the strategic partnership with the fast-developing East African country, according to a Press Trust of India report.
The announcements came during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Rwanda, the first by an Indian prime minister to the country.
After his one-on-one talks with Rwanda's President Paul Kagame, Modi announced that India will soon open its mission in Rwanda, the report said.
Praising the Indian diaspora's contributions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today described them the ambassadors of India who are making a mark all over the world.
"I am delighted to interact with the Indian community in Rwanda. President @PaulKagame told me that the Indian community is contributing to Rwanda's progress and they are also doing lot of community service. I was happy to hear this," he said.
"All over the world, the Indian diaspora is making a mark. They are our 'Rashtradoots'," the prime minister said.
Watch the joint statement here:
A defence cooperation agreement is also expected to be signed between India and Rwanda during the visit, T S Tirumurti, secretary (Economic Relations) in the Ministry of External Affairs, said in New Delhi last week.
After PM Modi's Rwandan counterpart introduced him to various ministers, there was a welcome performance at the airport by a group. Later, he sat down for talks with President Kagame.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Rwanda.
PM Modi is travelling with a 100-member business delegation. His visit starts as Chinese President Xi Jinping winds up his state visit of Rwanda.
The Prime Minister was scheduled to reach Rawanda by 6 PM but his arrival seems to be delayed as there has been no update yet.
On his 5-day visit Prime Minister Modi will also be in South Africa between 25 to 27 July to attend the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) summit.
PM Modi To Gift 200 Cows In Rawanda On His Visit
Prime Minister Modi who is on five-day, three-nation tour will make his first stop in Rawanda and will gift 200 cows as a part of Rwandan President Kagame's flagship Girinka program, in which the poorest get cows from the government and gift the first female calf to a neighbor to promote brother hood.
High Commission Of India In Kampala has tweeted saying that Rwanda was all set to welcome Prime Minister Modi.
PM Modi's last visit to mainland Africa was to Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania and Kenya in 2016.
The following is PM Modi's schedule for today in Rwanda:
6pm: PM Modi to reach Kigali International Airport in Rwanda and get a ceremonial reception
6:45pm: PM Modi will hold one-on-one meeting with Mr. Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda
07:15pm: PM Modi to hold delegation level talks with his Rwandan counterpart and others
8pm: Exchange of agreements and press statements
08:30pm: PM Modi to attend a banquet dinner hosted by the Rwandan President
09:45pm: PM Modi will attend a reception hosted by the High Commissioner of the Indian community in Rwanda
MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted about PM Modi's maiden Africa visit:
"India shares close, warm and friendly relations with Africa which are cemented by robust development partnership and a large presence of the Indian diaspora," the Prime Minister''s Office said in a pre-departure statement.
A number of agreements and MoUs in the areas of defence, trade, culture, agriculture and dairy cooperation are scheduled to be signed during the Prime Minister's visit, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
The Prime Minister is scheduled to visit the Genocide Memorial and participate in an event on "Girinka" (one cow per family), a national social protection scheme of Rwanda, which is personally initiated by the Rwandan President.