New Delhi/Kampala: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is on an official visit to Uganda, called on Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and conveyed the personal greetings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They also discussed cooperation in trade and investment, infrastructure and energy, among other subjects.
In a tweet, the EAM said that he also congratulated the Ugandan President on his country assuming chairship of the Non Aligned Movement.
“Privileged to call on President @KagutaMuseveni of Uganda at his farm in Rwakitura. Conveyed the personal greetings of PM @narendramodi.
“Appreciated his guidance on furthering our traditional and long-standing ties.
“Discussed cooperation in trade & investment, infrastructure, energy, defense, health, digital and agricultural domains.”
“Congratulated Uganda on assuming the chairship of the NAM and affirmed our strong coordination at multilateral forums including the United Nations.”
President Museveni, in a tweet, said that he hosted EAM Jaishankar at his home in Rwakitura, and the two sides discussed issues of mutual interest and agreed to cooperate in the areas of agriculture, defence and security, ICT among other issues.
“I hosted @DrSJaishankar, India’s Minister of External Affairs at my home in Rwakitura this afternoon.
We discussed issues of mutual interest and agreed to cooperate in the areas of agriculture, ICT, defense & security, development of the pathogenic economy, etc.
“I welcome him,” the President said.
Uganda, which is holding the chair of the Non Aligned Movement till 2025, is preparing to hold the NAM Summit in January 2024.
EAM Jaishankar also participated in the launch of the Tulsi Ghat Restoration Project in Varanasi and appreciated the BJP party’s Ugandan wing to contribute to further beautifying the ancient Indian city.
“While in Kampala, delighted to participate in the launch of the Tulsi Ghat Restoration Project in Varanasi.
“Appreciate OFBJP-Uganda’s initiative to contribute to further beautifying the oldest living city in the world.
“Living in a land of the Nile, their commitment to a ghat on the Ganga reflects the confluence of our two cultures.
“The conservation of Varanasi’s heritage underlines the cultural revival of India. This has profound global implications.
“Confident that many more members of Indian community in Uganda will keep visiting Varanasi and continue their efforts for its redevelopment,” he said in another tweet.
During his visit to Uganda, a landlocked country in East Africa, from April 10-12, EAM is also to hold delegation level talks with his counterpart Foreign Minister of Uganda General Jeje Odongo. He is also expected to meet other Ministers.
EAM will inaugurate the transit campus of the National Forensic Science University (NFSU) in Jinja. A bilateral MoU between the Government of India and Government of Uganda, on setting up of the first ever campus of NFSU outside India, is likely to be signed during the visit, an official statement said.
EAM Jaishankar will participate in the ground-breaking ceremony of a solar powered water supply project in Uganda. He will also address the trade and business community of Uganda and have an interaction with the Indian diaspora.
There are around 30,000 Indians in a country of nearly 50 million, accounting for less than one percent of the population, yet they contribute to 65 percent of the government revenues in the form of taxes.
Indian firms in Uganda have invested in areas from agriculture to manufacturing. The major firms are the Ruparelia group, valued at $800 million, led by Ugandan-born Sudhir Ruparelia, and the Madhvani group.
