Mozambique Visit: EAM Jaishankar takes ride in ‘Made in India’ train in Maputo

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, accompanied by the Mozambican Transport Minister, rode in a ‘Made in India’ train in the country’s capital Maputo on Thursday. Jaishankar thanked Rahul Mithal, Chief Managing Director of infrastructure company Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES), for joining him on the journey.

Sharing his experience, Jaishankar wrote on Twitter, “Took a ride in a ‘Made in India’ train from Maputo to Machava with Mozambican Transport Minister Mateus Magala. Appreciate CMD RITES Rahul Mithal joining us on the journey.”

Along with Mozambican Transport Minister Mateus Magala, the External Affairs Minister held a press conference on the moving train. “A novel experience: conducting a Press Conference in a moving train,” Jaishankar tweeted.

Jaishankar also visited a temple in Maputo and interacted with the Indian community there during his visit to Mozambique. “Offered my prayers at the Shree Vishvambhar Mahadev Mandir in Maputo this evening. So glad to interact with the Indian community there,” the EAM wrote on Twitter.

While meeting with Indian community representatives and friends of India at a reception hosted by the High Commissioner in Maputo on Thursday evening, Jaishankar emphasized the importance of the two countries’ time-tested and historic relationship, which is expanding. During a press conference in Maputo on Thursday, the EAM recalled the visit to India last year of Mozambique’s Speaker of the Assembly, Esperanca Bias.

He said the two “reviewed their political cooperation and economic cooperation. She urged me towards a greater expansion of our bilateral partnership. That is what I will be doing over the next two days.”

Jaishankar said that it is important for India, and Mozambique to have “regular parliamentary exchanges and it is appropriate that I begin my visit by coming to the National Assembly.”

“It’s a very good start to the visit and I am sure that over the next few days, there will be many more important conversations,” he said.

When asked if the BRICS are considering trading in their own currencies, the EAM stated, “Trade settlement is something which different countries are discussing. It is not something we are discussing within the BRICS. Individual countries have different positions on this matter.”

Jaishankar arrived in Maputo, Mozambique, on Thursday. He was greeted enthusiastically by Mozambicans.

Mozambique is a South African country.

“Arrived in Maputo to an energetic Mozambican welcome. Thank Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Manuel Jose Goncalves for the warm reception,” Jaishankar tweeted on Thursday.

“Look forward to productive discussions,” he further wrote. EAM Jaishankar is on a visit to Mozambique from April 13-15 to further strengthen India’s “strong bilateral relations” with the African nation.