Ansari addresses Indians in Rwanda; says attacks on Africans in India ‘sporadic’

Vice President Hamid Ansari said India is all set to open resident mission in Rwanda soon.

Kigali, Feb 20: Vice President Hamid Ansari on Sunday addressed the Indian community in Kigali, Rwanda. In order to give the Indian diaspora community in Rwanda a greater push, the VP said the country will open its resident mission in the Rwandan capital Kigali soon.

The VP added the move will further enhance bilateral ties between both the countries. "We are great friends (India and Rwanda), 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, I must tell you that the government has already taken up the matter and in coming weeks or months, we will have a physical presence of a resident mission here," Ansari said.

Rwanda has a good population of Indian community here and,we have had a valid complaint of not having a resident mission in Kigali:VP Ansari pic.twitter.com/ECPg4dBxnr

— ANI (@ANI_news) February 20, 2017

Govt has already taken up matter, in the coming week and months the physical presence of resident mission will be here: VP Ansari in Kigali pic.twitter.com/as6a0qwdVC

— ANI (@ANI_news) February 20, 2017

Ansari promised that facility of direct flights between the two countries would be soon started. Ansari is on a five-day visit to Rwanda and Uganda. According to an estimate, Rwanda has about 3,000 people belonging to the Indian community.

Earlier while addressing reporters en route to Rwanda, Ansari spoke on the issue of attacks on Africans in India. Last year, several reports of attacks on African nationals staying in the country had caused diplomatic row between India and African countries.

"Government has made its position clear...They were sporadic attacks by anti-social elements. Countries have raised the issue not at government level but at diplomatic level. And, our response has been comprehensive," he told.

"Also, the issue has not affected the flow of citizens from Africa to our country," Ansari added.

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