The visit to Rwanda and Uganda has reinforced the long-standing Indo-African ties, Vice President Hamid Ansari today said, underlining that the focus on Africa was critical to India's outlook towards the world.
"All in all, it was a good, productive visit and reinforced our long-standing ties of India and African countries," Ansari told reporters aboard his special aircraft on his return journey after concluding his five-day visit to the two countries.
"Our focus on Africa is a critical part of the outlook towards the world," he said.
During his visit to Uganda from February 21-23, Ansari held talks with President Yoweri Museveni during which both the sides reviewed the entire gamut of the bilateral ties.
"We remain committed to working together in trade, investment, development corporation, agriculture, IT defence cooperation domains. We also agreed to expand cooperation in the energy sector and training of personnel for space programme and peaceful use of atomic energy," he said in a joint presser with Museveni after the meet on February 22.
India and Uganda said in a joint statement that both countries have made "tremendous strides" in the development of renewable energy capacity and therefore would be in a position to enhance mutual cooperation in the energy sector.
It further said Ansari announced a "gift from India to Uganda" of medicines worth USD 2 million and medical equipment worth USD 1 million. The Ugandan president thanked him for the offer that would help address health needs in his country.
Ansari said both the countries received India with "exceptional warmth".
During the bilateral talks, Uganda also expressed its desire to replicate some of India's schemes for digital inclusion while implementing its public key infrastructure project and thanked India for deputing an ICT expert in the Office of the Minister for ICT.
"India agreed to share its experience and expertise in this regard," the statement said.
"As long-standing friends, we are there to give them (African countries) assistance in areas they need, we have no prescription to offer. Some areas we already have in the pipeline and some will be coming," Ansari said.
"At genocide memorial, we witnessed the determination of the people of Rwanda to overcome a heart-rending episode and revitalize their country," he said.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
