Page 43 - Diplomatists Nov

SP E CIAL REPOR T

Relations between India and Uganda have seen greater 576.46 million in 2014 to USD 607.79 million in 2019.
content and cooperation in the areas of political, defence, India is the second-largest exporter to Uganda. Numerous
economic, commercial, cultural, education, health and engagements between the private sectors in India and Uganda
tourism, etc. Many Ugandans travel to India for medical have deepened the involvement of Indian private sector
treatment and for pursuing higher studies in universities/ companies in Uganda’s economy.
institutions of repute. Several Indian commercial delegations As the economic scenario in the short-run will be shaped
have visited Uganda to explore trade and investment by the COVID-19 pandemic and humanity’s responses to
opportunities in the country. Uganda has put in place Buy it. However, both countries have stood shoulder to shoulder
Uganda Build Uganda (BUBU) policy. in the fight against COVID-19 and its socio-economic

India has always played a significant role in enhancing consequences. India has shared with Uganda the fruits of
the bilateral trade between India and Uganda. India’s support technological advance from highly developed pharmaceutical
in various areas of development in Uganda is aimed at and textile industries. Uganda and India have continued to
capability building in Uganda. Initiatives like Tele-medicine work together in areas covering international cooperation
centre and a tele-education centre were set up in Kampala such as participation in the virtual International Solar Alliance

under the first phase of the Pan-African E-Network Project (ISA) General Assembly in October 2020 to areas covering
and Africa e-network project, e-VidyaBharati & e-Aarogya entrepreneurship training etc.
Bharati (e-VBAB) in the second phase. India off ers long
term and short term training courses under ITEC to Uganda, What are the common interests of India and
numbering about 125 in a year. 30 Ugandan students travel Uganda in the international sphere?
every year to India to undertake under-graduate, post-graduate Uganda and the East African region as a whole have
and research programme on fully paid ICCR scholarships. deep rooted historic relations with India. The East African
During the year 2019 and 2020, India has gifted NCERT economies are some of the fastest-growing economies and
Textbooks for school going children in Uganda. In October with its largely English-speaking people is an ideal destination
2019, a Bhabhatron Radiotherapy machine to Uganda Cancer for Indian businessmen and investors.
Institute was donated to Uganda which proved benefi cial and Both India and Uganda closely engage with regional and
saved many lives. The government of India also donated international issues of mutual interest and concern. During
Medicines to the government of Uganda to help in the fi ght Indian Prime Minister’s visit to Uganda, both the countries

against the Covid-19 pandemic. reaffirmed the need for a comprehensive reform of the UN
The government of India gifted vehicles for civilian and Security Council, including its expansion, to make it more
defence use and Laptops to the Ministry of East African representative, accountable, eff ective and responsive to the
Community Affairs of the Government of Uganda. During the geopolitical realities of the 21st century. India and Uganda

visit of Hon Prime Minister of India to Uganda in July 2018, reiterated their commitment to intensify their cooperation in
India offered Uganda a total of $205 million worth of Line the United Nations and other multilateral organizations in

of credit to help in electricity distribution, infrastructure and order to address current global challenges such as climate
invest in the agriculture sector, which employs the majority change and to foster international and regional peace and
of its workforce. security, as well as sustainable development.
India remains committed to building on its longstanding
development partnership with Uganda, especially in the Could you put India’s growth trajectory during
field of cotton. The Cotton Technical Assistance Programme the past 10 years into perspective?

(Cotton TAP) was announced for 7 African countries including We have seen national interest taking center stage
Uganda under the 2nd India-Africa Forum Summit held in in the conduct of domestic as well as foreign policies

Addis Ababa. The first phase was completed in Uganda which during the last 5-6 years. A number of historic errors
included setting up a Bio Pesticide lab, conducting a training associated with our colonial and partition history have
programme on modern cotton production technologies, been rectified. Revolutionary reforms have been carried out

Training of scientists for use of agricultural implements, and in the administration to ensure every rupee spend by the
training on post-harvest management and value addition to Government of India reaches the targeted benefi ciaries. A
crop residue. The second phase of the Cotton Development significant amount of work has been done on aspirational

programme is expected to be implemented in 2021. goals including the comprehensive reform of educational
policy, creating a favourable ecosystem for startups,
What are the challenges to growing bilateral sustainable development and new and renewable energy. A
economic ties? firm foundation for Atmanirbhar Bharat has been laid during

The volume of bilateral trade has increased from US$ this period.

Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist • Vol 8 • Issue 9 • November 2020, Noida • 43