Linking historical ties, PM Modi presents India as the emerging “Manufacturing and Start-Up Hub” for people of Uganda

Kampala, July 25: Recalling the historical links shared by India and Uganda, Prime Minister Narendra Modi complimented the Indian Community for retaining its sense of Indian-ness. Prime Minister Modi presented a rising India before the people in Uganda boosting the developments and growing economy through emerging manufacturing and start-up centers.

Hailing the relationship shared, both the countries have strengthened ties and maintained relations for thousands of years. Addressing the Indian Community in Uganda, the event in Kampala was also attended by President Museveni of Uganda. Prime Minister said he felt a sense of belonging with the Indian Community in Uganda. PM Modi exclaimed that the presence of President Museveni at the event shows his love for the people of India and the Indian Community in Uganda. He also thanked President Museveni and the people of Uganda, for the honor to address the Parliament of Uganda on Wednesday.

 

The Prime Minister asserted that all countries of Africa, including Uganda, are important for India. PM Modi further added today India is among the fastest growing economies in the world. He said India is now exporting cars and smartphones. He said digital technology is becoming a means of empowerment for the people of India, and the country is emerging as an important center for Startups. India’s very own ‘Make in India’ has given the country a new face with a manufacturing hub for the world.

The Prime Minister spoke of the importance of Africa in India's foreign policy. In this context, he mentioned the India-Africa Forum Summit in New Delhi in 2015. He also mentioned other high-level bilateral engagements between India and other African nations.

  

The Prime Minister mentioned other initiatives taken, such as projects with lines of credit worth more than 3 billion dollars; scholarships; and e-visa arrangements. He said about half of all member nations of the International Solar Alliance are from Africa.

 

PM Modi said that India and Uganda share a very old bond with each other which is historically linked which recalls the struggle against colonialism, and the railway construction work in Uganda. He said several Indians have played a key role in Uganda's politics as well. He complimented the Indian Community for retaining its sense of Indian-ness, as reflected in the cultural performances on this occasion.

 

Apart from addressing the Indian community in Uganda, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on arrival held fruitful talks with President Kaguta Museveni of Uganda. The leaders co-chaired the delegation level talks and comprehensively reviewed all aspects of bilateral relations.

 

PM Modi also announced two Lines of Credit worth nearly $200 mn in energy infrastructure, agriculture, and dairy sectors. Following the delegation-level talks, four MoUs were signed in the areas of defense cooperation, visa exemption for official and diplomatic passport holders, cultural exchange programme and material testing laboratory.