India, Kenya affirm commitment to renew Cultural Exchange Programme

Reiterating the importance of cultural interactions and people to people contacts in strengthening bilateral relations, India and Kenya on Monday affirmed their commitment to renew the Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) for 2016-19, which will provide a framework for cooperation in culture.

In a joint statement issued following bilateral talks, both the countries agreed to exchange coaches for training in athletics and cricket as a way of promoting sports cooperation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in Kenya on a four nation Africa visit, and Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta led their respective delegations for the talks.

Prime Minister Modi announced that the 'Festival of India' will be hosted in Kenya in October -November this year.

The two leaders also welcomed the setting up of an ICCR Chair for Indian Studies at the University of Nairobi.

In response to Kenya's request to develop Kenya's film industry, India offered to consider deputation of Indian faculty to the School of Film Making in Nairobi.

"Given the importance of cooperation in education and in response to the offer by India to increase scholarships for Kenyans, President Uhuru Kenyatta appreciated the role of Indian universities in training Kenyan graduates who are making positive contributions to the economy. He requested India to consider expanding training and capacity building programmes in areas such as medicine, pharmacy, dentistry and ICT which are relevant to Kenya's national development priorities," the joint statement said.

Prime Minister Modi also announced a grant of US$ 1 million for renovation of the Mahatma Gandhi Graduate Library at the University of Nairobi.