India and Kenya Strengthen Ties as PM Modi Meets President Ruto in Delhi

In a bid to deepen the partnership between India and Kenya, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with Kenyan President William Ruto at Hyderabad House on Tuesday. The leaders engaged in wide-ranging discussions aimed at strengthening the longstanding ties between the two nations.

President Ruto, who is on a state visit to India, paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at his memorial at Rajghat in New Delhi. The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi, highlighted the importance of reinvigorating ties, sharing the warm welcome extended to President Ruto at Hyderabad House.

The Kenyan President received a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, where he inspected a Guard of Honour. President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed President Ruto at the official residence.

The visit is significant as it marks the first Presidential visit from Kenya to India in over six years. The leaders aim to invigorate bilateral relations and explore avenues for cooperation. A state banquet will be hosted in President Ruto’s honor by President Murmu, and a business and investment event is scheduled during the visit.

President Ruto expressed the need to consolidate the relationship between India and Kenya, emphasizing the nations’ strong diplomatic engagement since 1948. He commended India’s progress in the digital space and acknowledged the signing of an agreement in the digital domain.

The discussions between the leaders encompass various areas, including rural development, agriculture, vaccine manufacturing, and genomics. President Ruto extended gratitude to Prime Minister Modi for ensuring Africa’s representation in the G20.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and other union ministers were present during the ceremonial welcome, highlighting the broad spectrum of engagement between India and Kenya. The visit is expected to pave the way for enhanced collaboration and mutual growth between the two nations.