India, Rwanda signed MoUs in innovation aviation and visa requirements

India and Rwanda on 20 February 2017 signed three agreements including innovation and aviation. The agreements were inked in Kigali in the presence of Vice President Mohammed Hamid Ansari and Rwandan Prime Minister Anastase Murekezi during a business forum meet.

Vice President Ansari was in Rwanda on the first leg of his 2-nation visit to East Africa. He was in Rwanda from 19 February to 21 February 2017.

The three agreements signed between the two nations, that is, India and Rwanda includes

• Establishment of a bilateral air service agreement between the two nations.

• An agreement for exemption of visa requirements for diplomatic and service passports.

• Establishment of an Entrepreneurship Development Centre in Rwanda duly financed by Union Government.

Besides these three agreements, Ansari also launched India-Rwanda innovation growth programme. In addition to this, while addressing the Indian community in Kigali, the Vice President assured the Indian diaspora that New Delhi will soon open a High Commission in that country.

Earlier in the day, the VP Ansari had a meeting with President of Rwanda Paul Kagame and shared views on mutual benefits. He also met President of the Senate of Rwanda and presented him a copy of Constitution of India.

After completing his visit to Rwanda on 21 February 2017, Vice President travelled to Uganda, which is the second leg of his tour to another African country. During his visit to the two East African nations Rwanda and Uganda, the Vice President is accompanied by Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Vijay Sampla, four Members of Parliament and other officials.
His visit comes shortly after the visit of President of Rwanda for the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit in January 2017.