A key outcome of the discussions was the decision to strengthen collaboration in the critical minerals sector, an area of growing strategic importance for India’s clean energy and advanced manufacturing ambitions
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India and Rwanda have agreed to deepen cooperation in critical minerals and the petroleum sector while stepping up efforts to diversify bilateral trade and investment, following the inaugural meeting of the India-Rwanda Joint Trade Committee (JTC) held in New Delhi.The two countries also reviewed opportunities to expand India’s exports of refined petroleum products to Rwanda, alongside heavy engineering goods, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, textiles, marine products, plastics, sports goods, toys, gems and jewellery, and scientific instrument, according to a press statement issued by the Commerce Department on Saturday.Rwanda, in turn, identified minerals and precious stones among its priority exports to India, besides agricultural products such as tea, coffee, avocados, chillies, French beans, macadamia and essential oils.“The discussions also covered cooperation in agriculture and agro-processing, including market access for avocados; textiles and leather; green mobility; digital public infrastructure; fintech and cybersecurity; and renewable energy,” the statement noted.A key outcome of the discussions was the decision to strengthen collaboration in the critical minerals sector, an area of growing strategic importance for India’s clean energy and advanced manufacturing ambitions. “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,” the statement highlighted.In pharmaceuticals and healthcare, both sides noted that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) 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.The two-day meeting, held on July 30-31, established a structured mechanism to periodically review bilateral commercial ties, remove trade bottlenecks and identify new areas for economic cooperation, according to the Commerce Department.Rwanda noted that India had emerged as its second-largest foreign investor in 2025 and highlighted opportunities for Indian companies in mining, manufacturing, healthcare, information and communication technology, agro-processing and tourism. Rwanda also pitched itself as a gateway to the East African Community, COMESA and the African Continental Free Trade Area, offering Indian businesses access to a much larger regional market.Published on August 1, 2026
