Modi pledges closer cooperation with Kenya in landmark visit

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta in Nairobi on Monday and pledged closer cooperation with the East African nation.

A win-win friendship, says PM narendramodi on India-Kenya ties. pic.twitter.com/Jnoj240F3Z

— PMO India (PMOIndia) July 11, 2016

“India and Kenya are connected by the Indian Ocean, we both house strong maritime traditions. As such, our closer corporation in the field of maritime security occupies an important place in our all defense and security engagements. The M.O.U that we have just signed now will strengthen our institutional corporation between our defense establishments,” Modi said.

The two leaders said their meeting aims at strengthening cooperation between the two countries which span more than a century and will also result in the signing of new partnerships.

Excellent meeting, with President UKenyatta. Our discussions were extensive & covered several topics. PresidentKE pic.twitter.com/ZFk3A3vWd2

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 11, 2016

“This trip is of particular significance to Kenya being the first by an Indian prime minister in many decades. The enduring connections between our people spans centuries,” Kenyatta noted. “We strongly believe that the partnerships that we intend to deepen between Kenya and India will go a long way towards boosting and increasing the prosperity of the peoples of our two nations.”

“India is one of the brightest spots in the world economy, and Kenya is a land of strong opportunities; India is Kenya’s largest trading partner and the second largest investor here but there is the potential to achieve much more,” Modi added.

India has been seeking to increase its footprints on the continent which has since May this year hosted President Pranab Mukherjee and Vice President Hamid Ansari.

The Indian head who arrived in Nairobi on Sunday is on his fourth and last leg of his African tour. Modi began his trip in the continent on Thursday in Mozambique where he held talks with President Filipe Nyusi before flying to South Africa to meet President Jacob Zuma. He also met with Tanzania’s President John Maguli in Dar es Salaam.