Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh met with members of the Indian community in Uganda on Friday, commending their enterprise, dedication, and deep connection with India, calling them a “living bridge of friendship” between the two nations.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the Minister wrote:
“Pleased to interact with the dynamic Indian diaspora in Uganda. Their enterprise, commitment, and affection for India continue to be a living bridge of friendship between our two nations.”
Singh’s visit comes on the sidelines of the 19th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Mid-Term Ministerial Meeting held in Kampala, where he also held several bilateral discussions with global counterparts.
🌍 Strengthening Ties Through Diplomacy
During his visit, MoS Kirti Vardhan Singh met with:
- Yvan Gil Pinto, Foreign Minister of Venezuela,
- Maxim Ryzhenkov, Foreign Minister of Belarus, and
- Maria Manuela Dos Santos Lucas, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Mozambique.
The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in areas such as agriculture, capacity building, and information technology, while also emphasizing India’s role as a partner in sustainable and inclusive development across Africa and beyond.
He also met Atim Anywar, Uganda’s Minister of State for Environment, to discuss climate resilience, environmental conservation, and the need for regional and global collaboration in addressing environmental challenges.
🌱 ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ Reaches Uganda
Continuing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s green initiative, Singh planted a sapling at the Shree Swaminarayan Temple Complex in Kampala as part of the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, which encourages individuals to plant trees in honor of their mothers and contribute to global sustainability efforts.
“Visited Shree Swaminarayan Temple Complex, Kampala and planted a sapling there as part of the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative,” Singh shared on X. “The campaign continues to galvanize action and underscores our collective responsibility for preserving the environment.”
The initiative, launched earlier this year, has gained global attention for transforming environmental conservation into a people’s movement, earning appreciation from international communities and Indian diaspora groups worldwide.
🤝 Engaging on Global Issues
On the sidelines of the NAM Ministerial, the Minister also interacted with Riyad Mansour, Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United Nations, reiterating India’s longstanding support for dialogue, peace, and development cooperation.
Through these engagements, Singh reaffirmed India’s commitment to multilateralism, emphasizing sustainable growth, environmental responsibility, and deeper ties with partner nations in Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East.
🇮🇳 India–Uganda: A Partnership Rooted in Shared Values
The Indian community in Uganda—numbering over 25,000—is an integral part of the country’s economic and social fabric. From trade and manufacturing to education and healthcare, Indian-origin entrepreneurs have contributed significantly to Uganda’s development story.
Singh’s visit further underscores India’s people-centric diplomacy, celebrating the Indian diaspora as key partners in strengthening India–Africa relations and advancing shared global goals.
MoS Kirti Vardhan Singh Lauds Indian Community in Uganda as a Living Bridge of Friendship
Union Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh praised the Indian diaspora in Uganda as a “living bridge” of friendship while attending the NAM Ministerial in Kampala. He also planted a sapling under PM Modi’s ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign and held key bilateral meetings. Kampala
