Following extensive discussions with Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto, Prime Minister Narendra Modi revealed India’s commitment to contribute USD 250 million to modernize Kenya’s agriculture sector. The leaders explored ways to bolster defence ties, enhancing maritime security and jointly tackling piracy, drug trafficking, and terrorism in the Indian Ocean.
In a special briefing after the talks, Dammu Ravi, Secretary (ER) of the Ministry of External Affairs, stated, “Both countries have solidified their longstanding relationship through a series of five Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and strategic collaborations spanning diverse sectors, said Dammu Ravi, Secretary (ER) of the Ministry of External Affairs.”
During these discussions, agriculture and education took center stage as an intriguing development unfolded after Kenya expressed its intent to offer agricultural farmland to Indian companies, with the aim of promoting farming activities in the region.
“Interestingly, the Kenyan side has expressed interest in offering to India agriculture farmland, farming land for farming purposes, to be able to encourage Indian companies to go there and do farming,” shared Ravi.
Simultaneously, MoUs were signed between the open universities of both nations, highlighting collaboration in education. These agreements set the stage for a multifaceted exchange covering cultural, sports, digital solutions, and digital transformation initiatives.
Responding to a question related to the digital transformation Kenya is seeking, Ravi said, “The Kenyan side expressed interest in learning from India in several areas, particularly in fintech, space, the UPI, Aadhaar, and the health space.”
The visiting leader expressed interest in greater cooperation, especially with Indian specialist doctors visiting Kenya. In turn, Kenya expressed a desire for their specialists, nurses, and medical doctors to have extended stays in India to learn from the country. Traditional medicine also played a significant role in bilateral talks.
Ravi also highlighted a substantial boost to the economic landscape with announcements such as the enhancement of the line of credit for agriculture modernization in Kenya. A groundbreaking customized training program for Kenyan space scientists by ISRO and the development of a geospatial information portal further underscored the commitment to technological advancements.
“Education is another area. The open universities of both sides, IGNOU and Kenyan Open University, have entered into an MoU. Space is another area of cooperation. So, these are the five MoUs that have been signed,” clarified the MEA Secretary.
Kenya’s interest in learning from India extends to the fintech space, with a specific focus on UPI and Aadhaar. The health sector emerged as a significant area of cooperation, with discussions ranging from medical expertise exchanges to collaborative efforts in traditional medicine.
Line of Credit, Defence, and Space Cooperation
Ravi added, “The line of credit is to enhance from the existing 100 million to USD 250,000,000 for the agriculture modernization of Kenya, a customized training program for 20 space scientists of the Kenya Space Agency, which will be done by ISRO, and a geospatial information portal for Kenya, which India will be developing for them. And then, last but not least, the Kenyan government expressed interest in joining the International Solar Alliance and the Global Biofuel Alliance.”
Ravi emphasized India’s success in the G20 presidency, securing permanent membership in the African Union. Kenyan President Ruto expressed gratitude for Prime Minister Modi’s efforts, highlighting positive outcomes of collaborative efforts such as the Voice of the Global Summit.
Underlining the historical and robust relationship between India and Kenya, Ravi emphasized the longstanding connections between the two nations. Institutional frameworks, including Foreign Office consultations and Joint Trade Committee meetings, continue to strengthen bilateral ties. The development partnership, marked by lines of credit and educational scholarships, further solidifies the bond between the two nations.
Ravi also underscored bilateral trade, standing at USD 3.3 billion, showcasing the economic vibrancy of the relationship, with India’s exports playing a significant role. The upcoming India-Kenya Business and Investment Forum is poised to stimulate further economic cooperation, with President Ruto expected to address Indian business leaders.
“Kenya is a very strong partner in Africa in the development partnership. The bilateral trade is about USD 3.3 billion. Kenya imports about 1,16,000,000, and the investments from India’s side are about 3.2 billion. About 200 Indian companies are actively present in Kenya,” highlighted Ravi.
Defence cooperation, maritime collaboration, and hydrography initiatives were highlighted, with ongoing interactions fostering increased Indian investments in Kenya. “Both sides have also issued the India-Kenya Joint Vision Statement on maritime cooperation in the innovation region. And this is one of the important outcomes of this meeting,” he said.
The Business and Investment Forum aimed to facilitate interactions between leaders, promoting increased Indian investments. “Defence cooperation has always been strong, and since the day the Defence Minister visited last August, there has been ongoing defence cooperation, including maritime cooperation, hydrography, etc. In terms of the program, later this afternoon there will be a Business India Kenya Business and Investment Forum, which the President will address. And there will be interaction with Indian businesses in many areas.”
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Kenyan President William Ruto at Hyderabad House in New Delhi. The two leaders discussed deepening the partnership between India and Kenya. India also agreed to share its successful experience in space technology with Kenya and harness it for public welfare.
Modi highlighted clean energy as the main priority for both countries and commended Kenya for organizing the Africa Climate Summit. It reflects President Ruto’s commitment to unitedly address all global challenges, he added.
“I am glad that Kenya has decided to join the Global Biofuels Alliance and the International Solar Alliance. Additionally, Kenya’s decision to join the International Big Cat Alliance will help us strengthen global efforts to conserve big cats,” the Prime Minister said.
PM Modi expressed readiness to share India’s knowhow and achievements in digital public infrastructure with Kenya to help the country. He also emphasized the approximately 80,000 people of Indian origin who consider Kenya as their second home as the biggest strength in the relations between the two countries.
Kenya & Airtel
Earlier in the day Sunil Bharti Mittal met with the visiting leader Dr William Samoei Ruto, in New Delhi. He highlighted to the President, Airtel’s enduring relationship with and commitment to the people of Kenya in catalysing the digital economy of the country. Mittal also spoke to the President on the benefits of co-innovation and collaboration in distributing the success of the Indian Digital Public Infrastructure to Kenya.