Want to boost India-Rwanda economic ties: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called for boosting economic ties between India and Rwanda as he believes the two nations can do a lot together.

Prime Minister Modi's comments come during his maiden visit to Rwanda, where India and Rwanda also signed eight agreements in an effort to bolster bilateral cooperation between the two nations.

"We want to boost economic ties between India and Rwanda. Our nations can do a lot together. There are several opportunities in rural development and small scale industries," Prime Minister Modi said while addressing meet at the Business Forum in Kigali.

"India is growing exponentially but our mantra is 'Sabka saath sabka vikas'. We will grow but we will also help those grow, who are with us. We will walk together," he added.

Thanking Rwanda for the warm reception, Prime Minister Modi stated that this meeting would help to strengthen economic and cultural relations between the two countries.

"I thank the wonderful people of Rwanda for their warmth and affection. This visit adds tremendous strength to closer economic and cultural relations between India and Rwanda," he noted.

Furthering ties of trade and commerce, Prime Minister Modi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame addressed leading CEOs from India and Rwanda.

"The Girinka Programme is helping transform the lives of people across rural Rwanda. I also told President Paul Kagame about the initiatives we are taking in India for the development of our villages," Prime Minister Modi asserted.

Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister gifted 200 cows to villagers as a part of Rwandan Government's Girinka Programme.

Under this programme, the poorest residing in the region get cows from the government and gift the first female calf to a neighbor to promote brotherhood.

In the last leg of his three-nation Africa tour, the Prime Minister will visit South Africa to attend the 10th edition of the BRICS Summit, which is scheduled to take place in Johannesburg.