Kenya on Wednesday staked claim for Africa to a seat at the proposed expanded UN Security Council, even as it supported India’s campaign for U.N. reform.
Following delegation-level talks here, President Uhuru Kenyatta urged India to intensify multilateral cooperation and sought investment in the agriculture, security and health sectors of Kenya. “Our cooperation extends to the multilateral level where we shall collaborate on issues that affect our two countries. For example, we are both committed to reforming and strengthening the United Nations Security Council. We will continue to work together on other issues that affect us,” Mr. Kenyatta told presspersons.
The comments are significant since Nairobi in recent months has highlighted that Africa, despite its enormous size and complexity, has not secured a permanent seat in the Security Council.
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Strengthening India-Kenya ties on the multilateral front, Mr. Kenyatta invited India to engage more intensely at COMESA (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa). Reciprocating, India invited Kenya to participate in the International Solar Alliance..
Mr. Kenyatta, who came to Delhi after attending the Vibrant Gujarat summit in Gandhinagar, sought a common strategy with India to deal with international security threats and money laundering.
Both sides sealed an agreement on a Line of Credit of $100 million for agricultural mechanisation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the agricultural mechanisation project would open a new dimension of opportunities for bilateral ties.
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Both the leaders also reviewed progress on the commitments they agreed upon during Mr Modi’s July 2015 visit to Kenya, including the prestigious Rift Valley Textiles Factory (RIVATEX) which is being upgraded at present under a US $29.95 million.
Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in areas of maritime surveillance, maritime security, sharing of white shipping information and joint hydrographic surveys. India has also invited Kenya to participate in exhibitions like Aero-India and DEFEXPO. A joint statement issued during the visit announced a number of security-related measures including the likely meeting of Joint Working Group on Defense and Maritime Cooperation.