Indian PM in Kenya on last leg of 4-nation African tour

NAIROBI, Kenya – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday held talks with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta in Nairobi and agreed to further expand investment ties between the two countries and diversify trade.

Modi addressed tens of thousands of people of Indian origin in Kenya’s largest stadium Sunday evening, after arriving from Tanzania.

He was given a 19-gun salute Monday and guard of honour by the Kenyan military at State House, the president’s official residence, before meeting with Kenyatta.

India is Kenya’s largest trading partner and second largest investor but more can be done, Modi said after the talks.

“India is one of the brightest spots in the world economy. And Kenya is a land of strong opportunities,” Modi said.

“We strongly believe that the partnership that we intend to deepen between Kenya and India will go a long way toward boosting and increasing the prosperity of the people of our two nations, especially agricultural communities and small and medium enterprises that are the bedrock of Kenya’s industry and are also the bedrock of India’s society,” Kenyatta said.

Among the agreements signed during the visit was a revised double taxation avoidance pact, said Kenyatta’s spokesman Manoah Esipisu.

Modi’s trip is meant to raise India’s profile in energy, trade and investment in Africa, where China’s presence has been strong. He has already visited Mozambique, South Africa and Tanzania.