Gandhinagar: Rwanda’s High Commissioner Jacqueline Mukangira and Ukraine’s Ambassador Oleksandr Polischuk lauded India’s growing global influence and economic engagement during the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference.
Rwanda Highlights Strong Bilateral Ties
Mukangira emphasized the warm and expanding relationship between India and Rwanda. Recalling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2018 visit to Kigali, where he gifted 200 Gir cows to economically vulnerable families, she expressed deep appreciation for the gesture.
She noted that Rwanda’s President has visited India five times and participated in the 2017 Vibrant Gujarat Summit, reflecting the strategic depth of bilateral relations nurtured by both nations’ leadership.
Describing Rwanda as one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies, Mukangira highlighted its zero-tolerance policy on corruption, 11.8% economic growth in the first quarter of 2025, and top ranking in Africa in the World Bank’s 2024 Ease of Doing Business report. She also noted that India is now Rwanda’s second-largest foreign investor and trading partner. Additionally, Rwanda offers visa-on-arrival for Indian nationals for up to one month, facilitating business and cultural exchange.
Ukraine Sees Opportunities for Indian Investment
Ukraine’s Ambassador Oleksandr Polischuk praised Prime Minister Modi as a respected global statesman. Speaking at Vibrant Gujarat for the sixth time, he highlighted Modi’s efforts toward global peace, including initiatives related to Ukraine.
Polischuk said Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction offers significant opportunities for Indian companies across sectors such as energy, logistics, construction, agriculture, industry, and IT. He expressed hope for strong Indian participation at the Ukraine Reconstruction Conference in Poland later this year and pointed to long-standing cooperation between India and Ukraine in grains, pharmaceuticals, and oil.
He also commended Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel’s leadership, stating that Ukraine is proud to be a partner nation at Vibrant Gujarat.
Vibrant Gujarat: Two Decades of Growth and Global Influence
Launched in 2003 by then Chief Minister Narendra Modi, Vibrant Gujarat began as a post-earthquake revival initiative and has grown into a flagship global investors’ summit. It has attracted world leaders, Fortune 500 CEOs, global institutions, and investors.
Over the years, the summit has expanded its focus from investment promotion to innovation, technology, sustainability, and global partnerships. It has also played a key role in Gujarat’s manufacturing growth, infrastructure development, port-led expansion, and MSME promotion, while strengthening India’s economic diplomacy.
Today, Vibrant Gujarat stands as a symbol of two decades of continuity, policy stability, and global trust, showcasing Gujarat’s transformation from resilience to global competitiveness.
