India, Rwanda to enter solar alliance
Prime Minister holds bilateral meetings with more than 10 global leaders on the sidelines of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit; PM meets President of Rwanda, Both countries sign agreement on Forensic Sciences Co-operation and Rwanda’s accession to the International Solar Alliance.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 8th Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit on Tuesday, but before that, Gandhinagar witnessed several bilateral meetings that strengthened India’s International relations. Among the first leaders to meet PM Modi was President Paul Kagame of Rwanda. The two leaders discussed many important issues. A large delegation of senior officials and businessmen accompanied President Kagame. The meeting was followed by a joint statement.
The two leaders sought to take the relationship to the level of a Strategic partnership. India will expedite the opening of a mission in Kigali. Rwanda became the 25th partner of the Prime Minister’s initiative, International Solar Alliance, through which relations will be further strengthened.
India will provide Solar power to 35 schools in rural Rwanda. Cooperation in hydropower, vocational training centers, irrigation projects, Zero tolerance in the fight against terrorism and increasing people to people contacts, were also discussed.
The Prime Minister met Agriculture Minister of Israel, Uri Ariel and sought collaboration in tapping Israeli expertise in irrigation projects. Prime Minister also met Japanese Industry Minister Hiroshige Seko. Japan is India’s old friend and reliable investment and trade partner.
Taking their commitment in the field of clean energy cooperation forward, Prime Minister Modi also interacted with the Energy Minister of Denmark Lars Christian.
On Tuesday, Prime minister Modi also met Rashid bin Fahad cabinet Minister of the UAE on the sidelines of the Vibrant Gujarat Summit.
Tuesday emerged as an important opportunity to take relations with Serbia forward because Serbia’s Prime Minister Aleksander Vucic was in Gandhinagr himself and he met his Indian counterpart PM Modi.
CEOs from France who met PM Modi included SNCF CEO Gulliame Pepi, EDF’s CEO Jean-Bernard Levy.
In line with these meetings the PM also met a Swedish delegation of CEOs led by Swedish Minister Anna Ekstrom.
Tuesday was marked by similar meetings between Prime Minister Modi and delegations from the United Kingdom and Australia. The main emphasis of these meetings was on taking commercial relations to new heights. India through Gujarat presented itself as a most sought after investment destination, especially at a time when India continues to be the bright spot in the global economy.