Rwanda and India are seeking to expand cooperation in key sectors as Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe undertakes a two-day working visit to New Delhi.
According to a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 2, 2026, the visit focuses on reviewing progress in bilateral relations and identifying new opportunities to strengthen collaboration in health, education, trade and technology.
The talks come as relations between Kigali and New Delhi continue to gain momentum, building on a partnership that significantly deepened following Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s landmark visit to Rwanda in 2018 — the first ever by an Indian head of government.
That visit paved the way for a series of cooperation agreements spanning security, trade, dairy value chains, leather production, agriculture and cultural exchange, laying the foundation for a broader strategic partnership.
Upon arrival in India, Minister Nduhungirehe was received by Shri Janesh Kain, Joint Secretary in charge of East and Southern Africa at India’s Ministry of External Affairs, signaling the importance New Delhi attaches to ties with Kigali.
Health cooperation has emerged as one of the fastest-growing pillars of the partnership. In 2025, Rwandan patients traveling to India secured a 15 percent reduction in medical treatment costs, easing access to specialized care.
India is widely recognized for advanced medical expertise in cardiac surgery, oncology, organ transplants and other complex procedures. On average, between 20 and 30 Rwandans travel to India each month for treatment.
Officials say the current visit aims not only to consolidate existing gains but also to unlock new areas of cooperation aligned with Rwanda’s development priorities.
Analysts view the engagement as part of Rwanda’s broader diplomatic strategy to diversify partnerships and strengthen South-South cooperation in a rapidly shifting global landscape.
