Indians abroad are 'rashtradoots': PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday hailed the Indian diaspora living outside India as 'rashtradoots' or ambassadors for the country.

Addressing a sizeable group of the Indian community here, Prime Minister Modi said, "I am delighted to interact with the Indian community in Rwanda. All over the world, the Indian diaspora is making a mark. They are now our 'Rashtradoots'."

Amid loud chants and thunderous applause, the Prime Minister underscored that India was developing and modernising at a fast pace, owing to the 125 crore Indian population.

He also highlighted some of the schemes implemented which have benefitted the population in the last four years.

"When India completed 70 years of Independence, 18,000 villages were having no electricity. We made a decision to ensure electricity in every home in the next 1,000 days. And we did it. Still, four crore houses have no electricity, but we will achieve this in one year," he noted.

Prime Minister Modi also stressed that his government was following the motto - "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas" and expressed optimism that India was the fastest growing economy in the world.

The Prime Minister also informed the community that eight crore toilets were constructed across the country and lakhs of villages were now Open Defecation Free (ODF) under the Swachh Bharat initiative.

Tracing India's rise at the world economic level, Prime Minister Modi said, "When I came (in 2014), India was ranked 9th and 10th. Now, we have reached the sixth position and overtook France. Very soon, we will reach the top."

He added, "Today if any Indian sportsperson is winning a gold medal, this has become possible because we have made the selection procedure transparent. Now the right person goes to the right place."

Prime Minister Modi recalled his talks with Rwandan President Paul Pagame and said that he was proud to hear that the Indian community was contributing to Rwanda's development progress and engaging in community service.

He went on to say that the entire globe loved and respected the Indian community.

Earlier, President Kagame hosted a state banquet dinner in honour of Prime Minister Modi.

India on Monday extended two lines of credit to Rwanda to the tune of USD 200 million.

One line of credit worth USD 100 million was extended for the development of industrial parks and Kigali Special Economic Zone (SEZ), while the other was extended for agriculture worth USD 100 million.

While addressing a joint statement in Kigali along with President Kagame, Prime Minister Modi previously said, "We are going to open a High Commission in Rwanda soon. This will not only establish communication between our respective governments but also enable facilities for consular, passport, visa and other services."

On Monday evening, the Prime Minister arrived in Rwanda, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the African nation.

Prime Minister Modi was received by President Kagame and was given a ceremonial reception upon his arrival.

Later, the two leaders held one-on-one talks and delegation-level talks, respectively.

After finishing his engagements in Rwanda, Prime Minister Modi will travel to Uganda, where he will hold meetings and other engagements on Tuesday and Wednesday.