India and Rwanda Expand Defence Cooperation at Second JDCC Meeting
The second Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting between India and Rwanda was held in New Delhi on July 06-07, 2026. The meeting resulted in an agreement to expand bilateral defence partnership across multiple domains including military training, joint military exercises, medical cooperation, and defence industries collaboration. Both parties established an implementation plan with specific timelines to execute the action items identified during the meeting.
The Indian delegation was led by Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Defence Amitabh Prasad, while the Rwandan side was headed by Chief for Joint Force Development, Training and Doctrine Brig Gen Louis Kanobayier. The Indian delegation included representatives from the Department of Defence, Department of Defence Production, Defence Research & Development Organisation, Ministry of External Affairs, Armed Forces Medical Services, Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff, and the Services.
On the sidelines of the JDCC meeting, the Rwandan delegation called on Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, where Brigadier General Kanobayier briefed about new areas of bilateral defence cooperation aimed at strengthening the ongoing partnership. The delegation also engaged with Indian defence industry representatives, receiving updates on India's growing defence industrial ecosystem, indigenous capabilities, and technological advancements. Both sides identified potential areas of cooperation in the defence industrial sector and committed to accelerating future collaboration.
The delegation visited Army Hospital (Referral & Research) to gain first-hand experience of India's military medical capabilities, advanced healthcare infrastructure, and comprehensive medical support system for the Defence Forces. This defence cooperation framework originates from the MoU signed in July 2018 during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Rwanda, with the successful conduct of the second JDCC meeting reflecting both countries' shared commitment to strengthening defence partnership and enhancing institutional cooperation.