India–Rwanda relations

India-Rwanda relations

India	Rwanda

India–Rwanda relations are the foreign relations between India and Rwanda. India is represented in Rwanda through its High Commission in Kigali. Rwanda has been operating its High Commission in New Delhi since 1998 and appointed its first resident High Commissioner in 2001. Both countries are members of the Commonwealth of Nations.

High level visits

During Vice-President Mohammad Hamid Ansari's 5-day visit to Rwanda in February 2017, the two countries signed agreements to set up an entrepreneurship development centre in Kigali, begin RwandAir flights to India, and mutually exempt visa requirements for diplomatic and official passport holders. In 2018, Narendra Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Rwnada.

Economic relations

Rwanda sought the Government of India-supported EXIM Bank Line of Credit for construction of a 27.5 MW hydroelectric project on the Nyabarongo River to be executed by BHEL and Angelique International. A credit of US$80 million was approved and effectively been disbursed. The project is on schedule and is likely to be completed by the end of 2012. The main items of Indian exports to Rwanda are pharmaceuticals, vehicles, plastics and machinery. Bilateral trade between the two countries stood at 210 million dollars and have seen a growth of over 350% in the time period between 2005 and 2009. The Rwandan High Commissioner to India, in an event organised by the Indian Council of World Affairs in July 2012, stated that in the year 2011 alone, projects by Indian entrepreneurs worth over US$200 million were registered in Rwanda. He further stated that other projects by Indian entrepreneurs valued at over US$1.0 billion are in the pipeline.