Engaging Africa: Ansari to leave for Rwanda, Uganda tomorrow

Vice President Hamid Ansari will embark on a five-day visit to Rwanda and Uganda tomorrow, seeking to further boost ties with the countries and enhance India's engagement with the African continent.
This is the first high-level visit from India to Rwanda and the first high-level bilateral visit from the country to Uganda since 1997, MEA officials said.
During his visit to Rwanda from February 19-21 and Uganda from February 21-23, Ansari will seek to broaden the country's diplomatic footprint in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The Vice President along with wife Salma, would be accompanied by Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Vijay Sampla, four MPs, senior officials and a business and media delegation.

During the five-day visit, Ansari will be attending a host of programmes in the two African countries.
"The Vice President would pay homage at the genocide museum (in Kigali), interact with the Indian community there and attend a banquet hosted by the Prime Minister of Rwanda," a senior MEA official said.

Ansari's visit comes shortly after the visit of President of Rwanda for the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit in January this year.
"India-Rwanda relations are marked by cordiality, convergence of views and cooperation on major international issues, increasing bilateral trade and investments, greater people-to-people contact and a deep sense of mutual respect," the official said.

"During his visit to Uganda from February 21-23, the Vice President would be meeting his counterpart and the President of Uganda. Ansari would also interact with the Indian community in Kampala," he said.
Relations between India and Uganda are characterised by historical cultural linkages, extensive economic and trade interest and a convergence on major bilateral and international issues, the official said.
"The visit is expected to deepen and expand the bilateral relationships," he said.
"The forthcoming visit of the Vice-President is part of the conscious broadening of India's diplomatic footprint in Sub-Saharan Africa, especially in the Great Lakes region," the senior MEA official said.

The Vice President will also address India-Uganda Business Forum. Besides, he would be paying floral tribute to the bust of Mahatma Gandhi at Jinja.
In Rwanda, Ansari will launch India-Rwanda Innovation Growth Programme as part of which there would be a technology expo of India's low-cost innovations. The Vice President along with the Prime Minister of Rwanda would also address an India-Rwanda Business Forum, he added.