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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Africa this week where he will visit three African countries – Rwanda, Uganda and South Africa. Following his bilateral visits to 2 East African countries, he will attend the BRICS Summit in South Africa. This will be Prime Minister Modi's second visit to Africa. During his first visit, he visited 6 African countries.
He will begin his visit to Rwanda from July 23 to 24, followed by Uganda from July 24 to 25, and finally complete his visit to South Africa where he will attend the 10th BRICS Summit.
The Prime Minister's official engagement in Rwanda and Uganda includes bilateral meetings with presidents, delegation level discussions, and meetings with Indian businesses and communities. According to a statement from the Department of External Affairs, "A number of agreements and memoranda of understanding in the areas of defense, trade, culture, agriculture and cooperation must be signed during visits. "
The Indian Prime Minister will begin his visit to Africa from Rwanda. This will be the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister to Rwanda. In addition to official commitments, the Prime Minister will also visit the Genocide Memorial. The Rwandan genocide of 1994 was a tragic moment in the history of the country where a million people were killed. Fortunately, no Indian was injured during the 1994 genocide and the Rwandan Patriotic Front or government forces did not interfere with the evacuation of Indian nationals from the Indian government of Rwanda to Bujumbura and Nairobi.
India has elevated its bilateral relations Rwanda at the level of a strategic partnership in January 2017. Regular visitor to India, Rwandan President Paul Kagame went to Delhi in January 2017 to participate in the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2017 and later in March 2018 to participate in the founding conference of Solar International. Alliance (ISA). Rwanda is part of the international solar alliance led by India and has ratified the Framework Agreement of the International Solar Alliance.
India-Rwanda Connect
Paul Kagame visited India four times during his tenure, three times in a personal capacity. There are approximately 3,000 Indian and PIO nationals in Rwanda and the country's only sugar refinery, its only modern textile mill as well as a soap and cosmetics plant are all owned by PIO. In June 2016, an Indian company, Aroma International, announced an investment of about $ 1 million in the laundry and detergent sector in Rwanda.
India does not have a mission in Rwanda but will open its mission in Rwanda very soon. In fact, India announced its envoy last week only. India will conclude two LDCs – one of 100 million dollars for the development of industrial parks and the Kigali SEZ and another 100 million dollars for agriculture and irrigation during the Prime Minister's visit.
India Rwanda
PM Modi will visit the model village of Rweru in the country and will donate 200 cows as India's contribution to Rwanda's Girinka program. "Girinka" or a cow per family is a national social protection program of Rwanda personally initiated by President Paul Kagame. The poorest families are government-endowed dairy cows and the first cow-born female calf is gifted for neighbour. will be the Rwandan cows
Why does Rwanda count?
Rwanda is considered a major gateway to East Africa and hosts the Assembly of the African Union in March 2018 in Kigali , where the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AFCTA) establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area was signed, 44 members of the African Union signed the Agreement, which will be the largest free trade area in terms of training the World Trade Organization (WTO) Rwanda has played an important role in United Nations peacekeeping missions in Africa and it is the third largest important troop provider for peacekeeping in Afri California. The country plays an important role in the United Nations Mission (MINUSCA) in the Central African Republic
Uganda Calling!
This will be the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister to Uganda in over 21 years. The last time an Indian Prime Minister went to Uganda, it was in 1997. The Prime Minister will address the Ugandan Parliament, becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to respond to it. . His address will be televised live in India and in many African countries.
Commitments, particularly in defense matters, continued. Training and capacity building have been central to bilateral defense cooperation. India has an Indian Military Training Team (IMTT) stationed in Jinja since 2010. India is expected to extend two lines of credit of $ 141 million for power lines and power lines. $ 64 million for agriculture and dairy production. It will be for the first time that India will extend the LOC to Uganda
Uganda is currently president of the East African Community and its capital city. Kampala can be the base of Indian investments in East Africa.
There are over 30,000 Indians / IOPs in Uganda. During the reign of President Amin in the early 1970s, nearly 60,000 people of Indian origin (IOP) and Indians were expelled from Uganda. After the departure of Adi Amin towards the exodus of Indians from the country, it is President Museveni who invited a large part of the Indian community to return to the country to ensure their safety. He has also been the host of the Indian community for Diwali dinners at the State House.
It is estimated that PBOs and NRIs have invested more than US $ 1 billion in Uganda over the past two decades. According to statistics from the Uganda Bank and the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), about 60% of Uganda's direct taxes account for about 0.1% of the total population of Uganda. Uganda (35 million inhabitants). : 10th BRICS Summit
In South Africa, the Prime Minister will hold a bilateral meeting with the South African President and attend the BRICS summit. He will also have a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, his 3rd since Doklam stalemate.
South Africa is organizing the 10th BRICS Leaders Summit under the theme "BRICS in Africa: Working with Developing Countries for Inclusive Growth and Shared Prosperity in the 4th Industrial Revolution". In addition to the BRICS, Prime Minister Modi will participate in the Outreach Program with African Leaders and Outreach with Southern Summit Leaders.
As part of the BRICS Africa Outreach program, the guests are Rwanda, Uganda, Togo, Zambia, Namibia, Senegal, Gabon, Ethiopia, Angola and the President of the African Union; In the BRICS Plus Outreach program, Southern guest countries are Argentina, Turkey, Indonesia, Jamaica and Egypt. The Secretary-General of the United Nations was also invited. It is clear that many heads of state should converge in Johannesburg.
According to MEICA BRICS leaders, discussions should focus on "global issues, international peace and security, global governance and trade issues during the restricted session".
BRICS RATING AGENCY: An Indian Idea
The idea of the BRICS rating agency will also be addressed at the summit and confirmed by MEA's Secretary of Economic Relations, TS Tirumurti to WION. India insisted on this idea and was resumed at the 1st Meeting of BRICS Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors on the sidelines of the IMF and World Ban meetings in Washington in April. this year.
The Indian Ministry of Finance said in a statement in April that India "has asked the presidency to receive and advance the report of a panel of experts created under the BRICS Business Council aegis to study the feasibility of the BRICS rating agency "
The idea was proposed by India given that 3 Western rating agencies – S & P, Moody & # 39 and Fitch – dominate the rating market. 4th BRICS summit in Delhi in 2012.
India and China in Africa
It is interesting to note that the Chinese president will also participate in many visits to African countries. In a statement issued after the Chinese president's visit, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said: "The visits will foster the deepening of mutual political trust, mutual aid for development, mutual learning on the concepts of the other in China and Africa and the construction of a community of destiny closer China-Africa closer. "
Currently, China is funding projects infrastructure in Nigeria, Egypt, Algeria and South Africa. But with support comes debt and Chinese debt has created a lot of problems globally – including on national sovereignty. The Chinese diplomacy of checkbooks has been criticized.
In Rwanda, even as the Chinese president 's plane takes off, the Indian prime minister' s plane will land. While the Chinese president will be in Rwanda from July 22 to 23, the Indian Prime Minister will be in the country from July 23 to 24. The Chinese president will visit Senegal, Rwanda, South Africa and Mauritius. As in the case of India, it is the first time that a Chinese president visits Rwanda.
In a statement, Rwanda said: "Discussions will focus on continental issues in the context of the African Union currently chaired by President Kagame: China and India are among the economic partners the most important and dynamic in Africa ". China is strengthening its presence in Africa and is today Africa 's largest trading partner. Reacting to a question about Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Modi's presence in East Africa at the same time, MEA said, "We do not see ourselves in competition with China."
Close, warm and friendly relations with Africa and significant presence of the Indian diaspora and father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi's bond with South Africa only serves to cement ties. But more and more, China and India hope to get a share in the economic and political space of Africa. Africa has been the first priority of the foreign policy of both countries.
MODI-XI Meeting in South Africa
PM Modi will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Africa on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit. Hua Chunying, spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said: "On the sidelines of the BRICS summit, President Xi Jinping is expected to hold bilateral meetings with leaders of the countries concerned, including Indian Prime Minister Modi [19659002ItwillbethethirdmeetingbetweenPresidentXiJinpingandPrimeMinisterNarendraModisincetheirinformalmeetinginWuhaninAprilaccordingtotheChineseForeignMinistrythetwoleaders"willexchangeviewsonissuesthatared'mutualinterestespeciallyontheinternationalsituationbilateralrelationsandBRICScooperation"
Since last year, India and China have been trying to engage with each other. Chinese Ambassador Luo Zhaohui in New Delhi recently said: "We could not stand another Doklam incident." Hoping for a peaceful border, he added, "the border issue between our two countries has been left behind by history.We must build on convergence to find a mutually acceptable solution through the meeting of special representatives while adopting confidence-building measures to maintain peace and peace. tranquility along the border. "
It's time for Africa, India
In recent years, there has been a significant intensification of India's engagement. in various fields with African countries.In the last four years, 23 visits have been made to Africa at the level of the President, Vice-President and Prime Minister.More than 40 Heads of State and Government have taken attended the 3rd India-Africa Forum Summit in October 2015 in New Delhi Several African heads of state and government participated in the Founding Conference of the International Solar Alliance in March 2018 in Delhi
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