Rwanda backs India for permanent UNSC seat

Rwanda on Monday supported India's efforts for permanent seat at the UN Security Council but admitted that it was "difficult" to get a consensus on the matter in the entire African continent.

"Africa is not a homogeneous entity. We are 53 countries and it is not easy for all of them to think alike," Rwandan President Paul Kagame told reporters on the sidelines of the India-Africa Business Partnership Summit here.

He termed as "absurd" situation that India and Africa with a combined population of two billion people are not represented in the UNSC.    

Backing New Delhi's bid for a permanent UNSC seat, he said "this is a struggle both India and Africa have to carry on. Nothing comes for free."

"The stronger you are economically and politically, the more likely you are to be heard. I think our voice will be heard," said Kagame, who is also the chairman of the five-nation East African Community.

Stressing on the need to build strong business ties, he said the East African market offered enormous investment opportunities in the priority sectors like health, IT, energy,
infrastructure, construction, mining, agriculture and financial services.

"We appreciate very much those Indian companies that are already active in East Africa and on our continent in general and trust that more of you will join us particularly after
this important partnership summit," Kagame told business leaders.