THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

NEW DELHI, AUGUST 1, 2026

India and Rwanda have agreed to deepen bilateral trade and investment ties by institutionalising a structured mechanism for commercial engagement, identifying critical minerals, healthcare, digital technologies and agriculture among the priority sectors for future cooperation during the inaugural meeting of the India-Rwanda Joint Trade Committee (JTC).

The first session of the India-Rwanda Joint Trade Committee was held in New Delhi on July 30 and 31, marking the launch of a permanent, structured and periodic apex mechanism to review bilateral commerce, diversify the trade basket, expand two-way investments and address logistical bottlenecks.

The Indian delegation was led by Joint Secretary in the Department of Commerce Amit Kumar, while the Rwandan side was headed by Director General for Asia, Pacific and Middle East Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Virgile Rwanyagatare.

In his inaugural address, Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce Yashvir Singh said the first JTC session establishes an institutional framework to regularly review bilateral trade, diversify commercial exchanges, encourage investments and resolve market access and logistics-related issues.

Reviewing the current state of bilateral trade, the two sides noted that India's major exports to Rwanda include drug formulations and biologicals, two- and three-wheelers, industrial and electrical machinery, oil meals, and iron and steel products. Rwanda's exports to India comprise lead, spices, essential oils, copper, precious and semi-precious stones, processed agricultural products and minerals.

Both countries committed to making concerted efforts to diversify the bilateral trade basket, strengthen business-to-business engagement and address market access concerns.

India highlighted significant export potential in heavy engineering goods, pharmaceuticals and medical devices, refined petroleum products, textiles, marine products, plastics, sports goods and toys, gems and jewellery, and scientific instruments. During the discussions, it was noted that India continues to be Rwanda's largest source of pharmaceutical imports, accounting for around 24.5 per cent of the country's total pharmaceutical imports.

Rwanda, on its part, identified chillies, macadamia, French beans, avocados, essential oils, tea, coffee, horticultural products, minerals and precious stones as priority exports to the Indian market. The two sides also discussed harmonisation of standards and capacity-building cooperation between the Bureau of Indian Standards and the Rwanda Standards Board.

On the investment front, Rwanda said India was its second-largest foreign investor as of 2025 and highlighted investment opportunities across mining, agro-processing, affordable housing, information and communication technology, manufacturing, healthcare, tourism and financial services.

To facilitate greater investment flows, both sides designated Invest India and the Rwanda Development Board as investment focal points under the JTC framework and agreed to exchange calendars of trade fairs, business forums and Buyer-Seller Meets.

Rwanda also underlined its strategic location as a gateway to the East African Community (EAC), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), offering Indian companies access to a wider regional market.

The meeting identified critical minerals as a major pillar of future cooperation, with India expressing interest in strengthening collaboration in Rwanda's tin, tungsten and tantalum resources. The two sides also discussed institutional cooperation between the Geological Survey of India and the Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board to support collaboration in the sector.

In pharmaceuticals and healthcare, both countries noted that the Memorandum of Understanding between their health authorities is at an advanced stage of finalisation for signing. India also proposed recognition of the Indian Pharmacopoeia and enhanced cooperation in traditional medicine.

The discussions further covered cooperation in agriculture and agro-processing, including market access for avocados, textiles and leather, green mobility, digital public infrastructure, fintech, cybersecurity and renewable energy.

India reiterated its commitment to supporting Rwanda's capacity-building initiatives through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme, the Study in India initiative and the Skill India Mission, including assistance for strengthening Rwanda's Technical and Vocational Education and Training ecosystem.

The meeting concluded in a cordial and constructive atmosphere, with Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal congratulating both delegations for advancing the bilateral commercial partnership and stressing the importance of close monitoring and time-bound implementation of the decisions recorded in the Agreed Minutes.

The Agreed Minutes were signed in New Delhi on July 31, and both sides agreed to convene the second session of the India-Rwanda Joint Trade Committee in Rwanda after one year on a mutually convenient date through diplomatic channels.