Modi departs on three-nation Africa tour
New Delhi, July 23 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday left for Rwanda on the first leg of his five-day, three-nation tour of Africa that will also take him to Uganda and South Africa.
"Embarking on a momentous journey to strengthen our historical bond with Africa," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweetetd.
This will be the first ever prime ministerial visit from India to Rwanda.
From Rwanda, Modi will reach Uganda on July 24 in what will be the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to that country in 21 years.
From Uganda, the Prime Minister will reach South Africa on July 25 where he will attend this year's Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa (BRICS) Summit.
"India shares close, warm and friendly relations with Africa which are cemented by robust development partnership and a large presence of the Indian diaspora," the Prime Minister's Office said in a pre-departure statement.
"A number of agreements and MoUs in the areas of defence, trade, culture, agriculture and dairy cooperation are scheduled to be signed during the visit," it stated.
This is Modi's second official visit to mainland Africa after he visited Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania and Kenya in 2016.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
345 Indian fishermen stranded in Iran return home via Armenia
New Delhi (PTI): A group of 345 Indian fishermen, who were stranded in Iran amid escalating regional tensions, returned to India via Armenia on Saturday, officials said.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar thanked his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan for assistance in return of the Indian nationals.
The Indian nationals arrived in Chennai this evening, the officials cited above said.
The circumstances that led to them being stranded in Iran were not immediately known.
"Thank FM @AraratMirzoyan and the Government of Armenia for facilitating the evacuation of Indian fishermen today from Iran, through Armenia to India," Jaishankar said on social media.
Over 1,500 Indian nationals have left Iran through land border crossings in Armenia and Azerbaijan since the start of the West Asia conflict over a month ago.
"A group of Indian fishermen, stranded in Iran, are returning home via Armenia today; their flight is expected to reach India this evening," a government statement said.
It said the Ministry of External Affairs continues to closely monitor the evolving situation in the West Asian region, with the safety, security and welfare of the Indian community being accorded the highest priority.
It also made a mention of five Indians being injured in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
According to Abu Dhabi authorities, the Indian nationals were among the 12 people injured by debris from an intercepted missile.
"In an attack in Abu Dhabi, five Indian nationals were injured; four have been discharged, one remains under treatment," the Indian government's statement said.
It said the Indian mission in Abu Dhabi is extending "full" assistance and coordinating with local authorities, adding that their flight is expected to reach India this evening.
