PM Narendra Modi(L) speaks during an encounter with Kagame in Kigali – July 2018
President Paul Kagame has sent a congratulation message to India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his second victory in the 17th Indian general and constituency elections, to lead as Premier.
On May 23, 2019, Modi scooped a second five-year term in office following the country’s seven-phase general elections, the world’s largest democratic exercise ever beating the main opposition- Indian National Congress (INC).
“Congratulations Prime Minister Narendra Modi on your re-election and the faith the people of India have rightfully placed in you. My very best wishes of success to you and the nation of India. We remain committed to the productive relationship between our two nations and people,” the President said on twitter.
Official data from the Election Commission showed Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) winning 303 of the 542 seats, up from 282 it had won in 2014.
The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won 351 seats, while the opposition Indian National Congress (INC) won 54 seats compared to 44 in 2014.
The party or coalition with a simple majority (272 seats) in India’s lower house of parliament, called the Lok Sabha, is invited to form the ruling government.
The MPs from the winning coalition elect their leader, who then becomes the country’s prime minister.
Main opposition leader and Indian National Congress (INC) party President Rahul Gandhi conceded defeat and congratulated PM Modi over his victory in the just-concluded 17th general elections.
In his victory speech at BJP Headquarters in New Delhi, Modi thanked Indians for giving him a “historic mandate” of five more years in office, after a landslide victory.
“We all want a new India. I want to bow down my head and say thank you,” Modi said in a victory address to supporters of BJP.
About 67 percent of more than 900 million eligible voters cast their ballots in the staggered elections that the ruling party fought on issues of national security and a hardline Hindu agenda.
Rwanda and India share a long standing bilateral friendship and cooperation since 1999 which PM Modi strengthened during his historical visit to Rwanda in July 2018.
During Modi’s visit he offered a gift of 200 cows designated for Rweru model village for residents who were relocated from Mazane, a remote and isolated island between Rwanda and Burundi.
Last year, both countries signed seven bilateral pacts to further boost existing cooperation. The agreements included cooperation in defence, trade cooperation framework and a culture exchange programme.
Investment projects from India increased from 66 last year to 91 this year with a special focus on ICT, manufacturing and agro-processing.
The national carrier, RwandAir, operates four flights weekly to Mumbai.
