NewzVille Desk
The First Session of the India–Rwanda Joint Trade Committee (JTC) was held in New Delhi on 30 and 31 July 2026. The Indian delegation was led by Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce, Amit Kumar, while the Rwandan delegation was led by Director General, Asia, Pacific and Middle East Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Republic of Rwanda, Virgile Rwanyagatare.
Delivering the inaugural address, Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, Yashvir Singh, said the inaugural Session establishes a permanent, structured and periodic apex mechanism to review bilateral commerce, diversify the trade basket, expand two-way investment and address logistical impediments.
Both sides reviewed the current state of bilateral trade in goods and services.
India’s principal exports to Rwanda include drug formulations and biologicals, two- and three-wheelers, industrial and electrical machinery, oil meals, and iron and steel products, while Rwanda’s exports to India comprise lead, spices, essential oils, copper, precious and semi-precious stones, processed agricultural products and minerals.
Both sides agreed to make concerted efforts to diversify the bilateral trade basket, facilitate business-to-business engagement and address market access issues.
The two sides identified several priority areas for sectoral cooperation. In critical minerals, India expressed interest in strengthening collaboration on Rwanda’s tin, tungsten and tantalum resources, including institutional cooperation between the Geological Survey of India and the Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board.
In pharmaceuticals and healthcare, both sides noted that the Memorandum of Understanding between the health authorities of the two countries is at an advanced stage of finalisation for signature.
India also proposed recognition of the Indian Pharmacopoeia and expanded cooperation in traditional medicine.
