New Delhi/Kampala, April 11 (FN Agency) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday held bilateral talks with Ugandan Foreign Minister General Odongo Jeje during which they explored the possibilities in bilateral trade and investments, energy, defence and air connectivity. EAM Jaishankar later also participated in a virtual ground-breaking ceremony of solar-powered piped drinking water supply systems funded by the Exim Bank in Uganda. In tweets, he said: “Comprehensive discussions with FM @GenJejeOdongo of Uganda. Thanked him for the warmth of the welcome.
“Appreciate Sam Cheptoris, Minister of Water & Environment, Mwebesa Francis, Minister of Trade, Industry & Cooperatives and MoS for Foreign Affairs @okelloryem for joining us. “Took stock of our close and historical ties that have been given greater intensity by our leadership. Possibilities in trade & investments, energy, defense and air connectivity being explored.” “Noted successful delivery of Indian Development Partnership projects which will aim towards empowerment, capacity building and enhancing human resource capacity. “Affirmed that PM Modi’s Kampala principles will be further implemented with focus on digital, green and health projects. “As important partners in multilateral fora, expressed firm support of Uganda’s NAM chairship and exchanged perspectives on UN and need for Reformed Multilateralism,” he posted. On his participation in the ground-breaking ceremony, he tweeted that the project will provide safe drinking water supply to half a million Ugandans. “Participated in the virtual groundbreaking ceremony of solar powered piped drinking water supply systems funded by @IndiaEximBank in Uganda.
“This project will provide safe and sustainable water supply to half a million Ugandans across 20 rural districts.” On Monday, EAM Jaishankar 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. He 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. In July 2018, during a visit to Kampala, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a set of 10 guiding principles that would dictate India’s engagement with Africa. In a speech to the Ugandan parliament, Modi outlined India’s vision for not just a bilateral relationship with Africa but also a partnership at the global level. EAM Jaishankar is visiting Uganda, a landlocked country in East Africa, from April 10-12. He 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. 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.