Union minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) visited African nations – Uganda, Ethiopia and Mozambique for 6 days from April 10 to 15, 2023 to strengthen India’s bilateral relationship with the countries.
-Visit to Uganda
i.The External Affairs Minister (EAM), S. Jaishankar visited Uganda for 3 days from April 10 to 12, 2023.
ii.Launch of Tulsi Ghat Restoration Project:
- During his visit to Kampala, Uganda, the External Affairs Minister (EAM), S. Jaishankar launched the ‘Tulsi Ghat Restoration Project‘ of Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), a project funded by the Indian community of Uganda.
- He appreciated OFBJP (Overseas Friends of BJP)-Uganda’s initiative to contribute to further beautifying Varanasi, the oldest living city in the world.
iii.EAM met Yoweri K. Museveni, the President of Uganda at his farm in Rwakitura and congratulated the country on assuming the chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
- The NAM chair position rotates every three years during summit conferences, Uganda endorsed to chair the NAM on behalf of Africa from 2022 to 2025.
- They have discussed cooperation in trade and investment, infrastructure, energy, defence, health, digital and agricultural domains.
iv.Inaugurated Piped Drinking water supply System:
- EAM S. Jaishakar and Sam Cheptoris, the Minister of Water and Environment, Uganda, participated in the virtual groundbreaking event of the solar-powered piped drinking water supply system in Uganda.
- The project will supply safe drinking water to 5 million people in 20 rural districts of Uganda.
- The project is being funded by India Exim Bank.
v.Inauguratin of NFSU’s Uganda Campus:
- EAM inaugurated the first foreign campus of India’s National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) in Jinja, Uganda.
- Notably, the inauguration of NFSU’s Uganda campus marks the first government University of India to open a campus anywhere abroad in the world.
About NFSU:
- The NFSU is the world’s first university dedicated exclusively to forensic sciences. It was established in Ahmadabad, Gujarat.
- This university conducts courses in forensic sciences, behavioural sciences, cybersecurity, digital forensics, and allied sciences, and promotes research in those areas also.
vi.EAM met with members of Uganda’s Parliamentary Forum on Indian Affairs to discuss parliamentary cooperation and development cooperation.
vii.EAM also interacted with the Indian community of Uganda and addressed the Indian Business Forum, which was attended by Minister of Trade, industry and Cooperatives H.E. Mwebesa Francis.
viii.Defence Relation:
- India has been regularly training and exchanging with Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) under its Economic and Technical Cooperation Programme.
- About 50 UPDF officers travel to India every year to take defence courses ranging from short-term months to up to one year.
-Visit to Mozambique
i.EAM visited Mozambique from April 13 to 15, 2023, the first visit by an external affairs minister of India to Mozambique since 2010.
ii.Rides ‘Made in India’ train in Mozambique: EAM rode a ‘Made in India’ train (procured under an Indian Line of Credit (LoC)) from Maputo to Machava in Mozambique and had a conversation with the Mozambican Minister of Transport & Communication and Chairman, Mozambican Port & Rail Authority, Mateus Magala, on expanding train networks, electric mobility and waterways connectivity.
iii.Inaugurated Buzi Bridge in Mozambique: He also virtually inaugurated the Buzi Bridge constructed as part of the 132 km Tica-Buzi-Nova-Sofala Road project. The bridge is being constructed by India through Indian LoC.
iv.Meeting with High Delegates of Mozambique:
- EAM met President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, and discussed a wide array of subjects including bilateral, regional, and international issues.
- EAM had a meeting with the President of the Assembly of Mozambique, Esperança Laurinda Francisco Nhiuane Bias, and discussed the historic cooperation between the two countries.
- He co-chaired the 5th Session of the Joint Commission Meeting with Mozambican Foreign Minister, Veronica Macamo. Issues related to cooperation in multilateral fora, including the UN (United Nation) were also discussed.
- The External Affairs Minister also had a talk with the Mozambican Minister of Transport and Communication and Chairman, of Mozambican Port and Rail Authority Mateus Magala. They talked about expanding train networks, electric mobility and waterways connectivity.
-Visit to Ethiopia
EAM S Jaishankar made a short transit visit to the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa on April 13, 2023, and had talks with the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister of Ethiopia, Demeke Mekonnen Hassen.
- They shared views on strong multilateral cooperation between India and Ethiopia, including in the African Union and the UN.
Recent Related News:
From January 18-20, 2023, India’s Union Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) paid an official visit to Maldives and Sri Lanka.
Both countries are India’s key maritime neighbours in the Indian Ocean Region and occupy a special place in the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘SAGAR’ (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and ‘Neighbourhood First’.
About Ministry of External Affairs(MEA)
Union Minister – Subrahmanyam Jaishankar (Rajya Sabha Gujarat)
Minister of State (MoS) – VMuraleedharan ; Meenakashi Lekhi ; Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh
