India, Burundi sign development, education, health, medicine agreements

India and Burundi signed agreements late Monday in the fields of rural development, education, health and medicine in the presence of Indian Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, and visiting Burundi President, Pierre Nkurunziza. President Nkurunziza is currently on a three-day state visit to India. This is his first state visit to India. These pacts will enable our two countries to undertake structured cooperation in these vital areas of human development, where India's experience can be of some relevance to Burundi, said the Indian Premier after the signing ceremony. Welcoming President Nkurunziza to New Delhi, Dr Singh said that both the nations enjoy warm and friendly relations. "Our official exchanges, trade and investment linkages and people-to-people interactions are growing steadily. Earlier today, President Nkurunziza and I reviewed our relations and we have agreed to further promote and expand our ties in an all-round manner." He added. The Indian PM further stated: "India is committed to the development of infrastructure in Burundi. We are also setting up an Information and Technology Centre of Excellence there. I hope these institutions will be operational soon and benefit not only our friends from Burundi but the whole of Africa."