Indian involvement in Africa has been growing steadily over the past decade. Indian relations with Rwanda have also been on an ascendant curve for quite some time. An Indian delegation’s visit at his stage gives additional impetus to the relationship
The delegation held the first edition of Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting in Kigali, Rwanda on 8 February, 2024. Detailed discussions were held in areas like training cooperation, joint military exercises, defence industrial cooperation etc. The Indian delegation apprised the Rwandans of the soaring growth of Indian defence industry’s exports to friendly countries.
Keen interest has been evinced by the Rwandan side in augmenting training cooperation. The Rwandan side highlighted areas where the Indian Armed Forces and industry could collaborate with their Defence Forces under the aegis of the Defence MoU signed between the two countries during the visit of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to Rwanda in 2018.
The Indian delegation has also called on the Defence Minister of Rwanda, Mr. Marizamunda Juvenal. The Indian delegation was led by a Joint Secretary and included senior officials from the Ministry of Defence and the Indian Armed Forces. The Charge d’Affaires in the Indian mission in Kigali, also attended the meeting.
Both countries are keen to foster the growth of a more intimate relationship. There is scope of expanding the areas of cooperation and enhancing the progress already made in various sectors to include trade, education and defence, among others.
