Narendra Modi becomes the first Indian PM to set foot in Rwanda
Narendra Modi becomes the first Indian PM to set foot in Rwanda Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Rwanda’s capital Kigali as a part of his three-nation Africa tour, becoming the first Indian premier to visit the East African country. The Prime Minister’s aircraft landed at the Kigali International Airport where he was received by President of Rwanda Paul Kagame. He was accorded a red carpet welcome at the airport. “A historic visit starts with a special gesture. President @PaulKagame personally welcomed PM @narendramodi to Rwanda,” the Prime Minister’s Office tweeted. His two-day state visit to Rwanda -- one of Africa’s fastest growing economies -- assumes significance as this is the first by an Indian premier. “A special gesture by a close friend and a strategic partner! Prime Minister @narenderamodi personally received by Rwandan President @PaulKagame at #Kigali International Airport on the first leg of his three-nation tour. First-ever visit by an Indian PM to Rwanda,” Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted. PM Modi held one-on-one talks with President Paul Kagame. They later signed eight MoUs and documents on cooperation in capacity building, defence, industry, science and technology. India agreed to extend two lines of credit — $100 million for development of industrial parks and expansion of Kigali SEZs and $100 million for agriculture irrigation scheme in Rwanda and a trade cooperation framework. Chinese President Xi Jinping will also be attending the BRICS summit where he is likely to hold a bilateral with PM Modi, three months after the informal summit at Wuhan. -PTC News
