Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Trade : India-Kenya Joint Statement during State Visit of H.E Uhuru Kenyatta, Jan. 10-12, 2017

1. His Excellency Mr. Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya paid a State Visit to India from 10-12 January 2017 at the invitation of Mr. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India. He was accompanied by Cabinet Secretaries for National Treasury; Trade Industrialisation and Cooperatives and Tourism as well as senior officials and a business delegation.
2. The official programme of President Kenyatta included a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan, meeting with the President of India Mr Pranab Mukherjee, and delegation level talks with Prime Minister Modi; a Banquet hosted by the President of India; a courtesy call by Vice President of India Mr M. Hamid Ansari; and participation in an India- Kenya Business Forum in New Delhi. President Kenyatta also attended the Vibrant Gujarat Summit in Gandhinagar on 10 January 2017.
3. Bilateral discussions between Prime Minister Modi and President Kenyatta were held in a warm and friendly atmosphere. The talks covered issues of bilateral, regional and international interest.
4. Prime Minister Modi and President Kenyatta reviewed the status of the agreements and decisions reached by the two countries following the State visit of Prime Minister Modi to Kenya in July 2016, and expressed satisfaction over their implementation. The leaders directed that the meeting of the Joint Commission (JCM) should be held regularly at mutually convenient dates.
5. As members of the Indian Ocean Littoral States, both sides emphasised the importance of further consolidating the security and defence cooperation between the two countries. The two leaders recognised that the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation was expected to give a major boost to defence cooperation. The leaders called for the early convening of the first meeting of the Joint Working Group on Defence and Maritime Cooperation.
6. Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in areas of maritime surveillance, maritime security; sharing of white shipping information and joint hydrographic surveys. India also invited Kenya to participate in exhibitions like Aero-India and DEFEXPO.
7. The leaders directed that the establishment of a Joint Working Group on Security be expedited to prepare an action plan for enhancing security related collaboration. Both sides agreed to continue sharing information and expertise in counter terrorism, cyber security, combating drugs and human trafficking. It was agreed to build a bilateral legal framework with early conclusion of Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty, an Agreement on Transfer of Sentenced Persons and a Memorandum of Understanding on Controlling Narcotics.
8. The leaders condemned terrorism in all its forms and reiterated their commitment to working together in this regard, including expediting the finalization of Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism. The two leaders committed to strengthen cooperation against terrorist threats from extremist groups.
9. On developmental assistance, President Kenyatta appreciated the power transmission line projects being executed by Indian companies under a Line of Credit (LOC) of US$ 61.6 million. Both Leaders noted with satisfaction that the implementation of US$ 29.95 million LOC for up-gradation of Rift Valley Textiles Factory (RIVATEX) and US$ 15 million LOC to IDB Capital Limited, for development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) was in progress. Both sides welcomed the signing of US$ 100 million LOC for agricultural mechanisation in Kenya.
10. The two sides noted that trade and investment relations should be expanded and deepened. In this connection, the two leaders agreed to work together to encourage their respective public and private companies to explore trade and investment opportunities while improving ease of doing business in their respective countries to boost the investment climate. The two Leaders tasked the Joint Trade Committee to explore further ways of enhancing trade cooperation.
11. President Kenyatta welcomed participation of Indian private sector in development of infrastructure related projects in Kenya. The two Leaders welcomed the first meeting of Joint Technical Committee on Housing held in New Delhi on 9 January 2017 as well as revival of the Joint Business Council.
12. President Kenyatta thanked India for the progress in installation of a telecobalt cancer therapy machine - the Bhabhatron II at Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi and appreciated training given to Kenyan oncologists under the India Africa Forum Summit Framework (IAFS III). He informed that plans were underway to put up a cancer hospital in Kenya under a Line of Credit offered by India. India reiterated its commitment towards a donation of essential/ARV medicines and medical equipment and capacity building/training programmes in the health sector. The leaders agreed on the importance of sustaining cooperation in the Health and Pharmaceutical sector. [President Kenyatta welcomed investors in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in the manufacture of anti-retroviral medicines to invest in Kenya and reap the benefits of the vast regional market.]
13. The two Leaders reiterated the importance of cultural interactions and people to people contacts in strengthening bilateral relations. India appreciated support of the Government of Kenya in successful organisation of the first-ever 'Festival of India in Kenya' in October-November 2016. Indian side welcomed the possibility to organize a Festival of Kenya in India in the near future. The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to renew the Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) so as to boost cultural exchanges. The leaders expressed satisfaction over the increasing flow of tourists between the two countries.
14. Kenya thanked India for the grant of US$ 1 million for renovation of the Mahatma Gandhi Graduate Library at the University of Nairobi and the setting up of an Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Chair for Indian Studies at the University. The two sides reiterated their desire to exchange coaches for training in athletics and cricket and hockey as a way of promoting sports cooperation.
15. India invited Kenya to join the framework agreement of the International Solar Alliance (ISA). India offered its expertise in the area of LED smart street lighting and LED bulbs for domestic use. The two leaders reaffirmed the importance that both countries attached to the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and agreed to work towards finalizing the agreement on Cooperation in the Blue Economy.
16. The two leaders reiterated their strong support for the ongoing reforms of the United Nations and its principal organs with a view to making the institution more democratic, representative, transparent and efficient so that it can deal more effectively with the myriad challenges of the contemporary world. They emphasized the importance of an early reform of the United Nations Security Council, in both permanent and non-permanent membership categories, so that it reflects the current realities and functions in an accountable, representative and effective manner.
17. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the regular high-level contacts between the two countries that provide the much needed impetus to progressive enhancement and deepening of bilateral ties across the entire spectrum of cooperation.

### As on January 9, 2017 at 1930 hrs.