India, Kenya sign 7 pacts; to deepen ties in security

Seeking to bolster their ties, India and Kenya today decided to deepen and expand cooperation in a wide range of areas as they signed seven pacts, including in the field of defence and security and avoidance of double taxation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after his talks with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta here, also announced extension of concessional Line of Credit (LOC) of $44.95 million to the African nation to help it in development of small and medium enterprises and textiles.

India will also build a cancer hospital in Kenya to provide quality and affordable healthcare.

“The multifaceted development partnership is a key pillar of our bilateral relationship,” Modi said at a joint media interaction with Kenyatta after the talks.

He said Kenyatta and he had "agreed that terrorism and radicalisation is a common challenge for our two countries, the region and the whole world. We have agreed to deepen our security partnership including in fields of cyber security, combating drugs & narcotics and human trafficking.”

The MoU on Defence Cooperation signed will entail staff exchanges, expertise sharing, training, cooperation in hydrography and equipment supply.

At another event, Addressing the students at the University of Nairobi, Modi pitched for a world free from terror and hate, saying safety and security of people and societies is essential for realising the benefits of the economic progress.

“Preachers of hate and violence are threatening the fabric of our society,” he said. Underlining the need to counter radicalisation, he said “Youth can play an important role in building a counter narrative to extremist ideologies."

Addressing the event with Kenyatta, Modi said the two countries have shared common interest in the security, including in maritime security, since they are connected by the Indian Ocean. “Closer cooperation in field of maritime security occupies an important place in our defence and security engagement,” he said.