India and Rwanda have signed 3 Memorandums of Understanding (MoU).
What are the MoUs?
A bilateral air services agreement was signed, thus enabling direct flights between the two countries. Rwandan Airways will begin direct flights between Kigali and Mumbai from April 2017.
The other two MoUs are setting up of an entrepreneurial development centre in Rwanda and exemption of visa for entry of diplomatic and official passports.
Rwandan government also cited its desire of wanting many Indian pharmaceutical companies in Rwanda.
Indian government asked questions about President ‘Paul Kagame’s governance model’ that helped Rwanda become one of the cleanest and well-run states in Africa.
India also offered scholarships and fellowships to Rwandan students to enable them to pursue undergraduate, masters, and research courses in India.
How the MoUs will be useful?
With direct flights between the two countries, the people to people exchange will be more fruitful.
With the air services agreement, the tourism sector will get a major boost.
India-Rwanda Innovation Growth Program is being launched. It will expand ties in Science, Technology and Innovation.
Under the Programme, 20 demonstrated and validated Indian technologies and innovations are expected to be adopted over a period of two years.
The joint ventures created with Rwandan partners can deliver many sustainable social enterprises that will stimulate economic development in Rwanda.
