India has a lot to learn from Rwanda: Official

India has a lot to learn from Rwanda on governance models like sanitation and smart city and efforts are being made to give more content to bilateral strategic relationship, a top government official said today.

"Vice President Hamid Ansari had a very fruitful visit to Rwanda and during bilateral talks both sides endeavoured to give our strategic relationship more content. We think its a great governance model and the Vice President has stated that he hasn't seen a better capital city. And, now we wish to further enhance our ties in several sectors," Amar Sinha, Secretary, Economic Relations in the MEA, said.
 

"One of course is 'Swachh Bharat' and then 'Smart City', two of our great initiatives and we would like to engage with Rwanda more in these areas. In fact, we will try to send delegates from some of our states, like Andra Pradesh, which is building a new capital," Sinha said.

He was interacting with reporters during a briefing as Ansari wound up his trip to Rwanda, the first leg of his two-nation tour.

"Besides, cleanliness and smart city initiatives, we have so much to learn from Rwanda, on governance models. It has zero-corruption for tolerance, and and one of the best places to do business. India certainly can take home a lot from this visit, and we certainly will," he said.

Another area where they have sought cooperation is production and shooting of Bollywood films.

"After a Hritik Roshan-starrer film was shot in New Zealand, it pushed tourism in a big way in that country. We hope we can find models to replicate it in Rwanda," he said.

"Rwanda's greatest achievement is its reconciliation with its turbulent past. From signs of great conflict, it has become a shining star of Africa. This is truly remarkable and worthy of emulation," he said.

Ansari during his three-day visit to Rwanda held bilateral talks with President of the Senate Bernard Makuza and President Paul Kagame.

India and Rwanda also signed three MoUs innovation, aviation and visa requirement.

A joint communique on the visit said the Vice President and Kagame committed to further promote bilateral trade and investment and increase people-to-people interactions. The Vice President expressed admiration for remarkable growth and transformation of Rwanda under the able leadership of President Kagame and expressed an interest in exploring the untapped enormous methane reserves in Lake Kivu for energy production.

The Vice president reiterated India's decision to open a resident Indian Mission in Rwanda highlighting that this will further cement the strategic partnership.