"India and Rwanda are great friends, and Rwanda has a good population of Indian community here and, we have had a valid complaint of not having a resident mission in Kigali. So, the government has already taken up the matter and in the coming week and months the physical presence of resident mission will be here," said Vice-President Hamid Ansari while addressing the Indian community here. 

 

Vice-President Ansari also said that shortly the facility of direct flights between the two countries would be started which would make the bond between India and Rwanda stronger. 

 

"I hope this would not only make things easier, but it would also encourage travel from both the sides for business and tourism," he said. 

 

He further said that the government is working to build ties and give it more content and added that India is willing to strengthen the bilateral relationship that already exists. 

 

"The result of this would be that by the end of the week and in the coming weeks or months there would be a much stronger relationship between the two countries, more purposely which will add greatly to our relations," he added. 

 

Meanwhile, the diaspora community in Rwanda expressed great happiness with the arrival of the Vice-President and said that the opening of the resident High Commission in the capital would be beneficial. 

 

"As the Vice- President Ansari said that a resident High Commission would be soon established here, this would be very beneficial for us. The direct flight that would be started soon it also good for us. As far as I know Rwanda Air would be starting its service till Mumbai from April," said Harmeet Singh, an Indian settled in Rwanda. 

 

Vice President Ansari is on a five-day visit to Rwanda and Uganda. 

 

Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Vijay Sampla and four Members of Parliament including Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader Kanimozhi, Ranvijay Singh Judev, Ranee Narah and P.K. Biju are also a part of the delegation. During his visit, Vice President Ansari will hold discussions with leaders in the two east African nations on issues of bilateral interest.

Source : www.sify.com