This article covers cultural and media exchanges between India and Rwanda, scholarships for study in India and the Indian community in Rwanda, based on the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) bilateral brief of April 2026. It also gives the contact details of Rwanda's High Commission in New Delhi and its honorary consulates, as recorded in the MEA Protocol Division register read on 24 September 2026, with the visa and air services facts the brief contains.

Cultural exchanges

According to the MEA brief of April 2026, the two countries signed an MoU on Cultural Exchange in July 2018 and a Memorandum of Understanding on the Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) for 2026-2030 in March 2026.

In November 2024, an 8-member ICCR cultural troupe, "Bollywood Rockers", led by Subhash Goyal, performed in the capital Kigali and in Rubavu district. The brief describes it as the first ever ICCR cultural troupe to visit Rwanda.

A 12-member Rwandan cultural troupe, "Inganzo Ngari", visited India for the 10th International Dance & Music Festival 2025, held in Prayagraj on the sidelines of Mahakumbh on 21 February 2025. The troupe also performed in Greater Noida on 27 February 2025 and in Jammu on 28 February 2025.

Dr. Utumatwishima Jean Nepo Abdallah, Rwanda's Minister of Youth & Arts, visited Mumbai from 01-03 May 2025 to attend the WAVES Summit 2025.

Scholarships for study in India

The Government of India offers scholarships and fellowships to Rwandans from the Government and private sector. They enable recipients to pursue under-graduate, post-graduate and research courses in India under ITEC/SCAAP, ICCR and IAFS.

Media visits

Four journalists and news editors from Rwanda visited India from 12-18 December 2024 as part of a familiarisation visit by 35 journalists from the Eastern and Southern Africa region. Three more visited from 7-15 June 2025, in a familiarisation visit by 28 media editors and journalists from the same region.

The Indian community in Rwanda

As of the April 2026 brief, there are more than 3000 Indian nationals and PIOs in Rwanda, drawn from around 15 States of India. The brief states that the Government of Rwanda has a positive attitude towards the Indian community and appreciates the role it plays in the Rwandan economy.

The brief records that during the Genocide of 1994, no Indian national was killed or injured. The evacuation of Indian nationals by the Indian Government from Rwanda to Bujumbura and Nairobi was not interfered with by the RPF or the Government forces.

High Commission of the Republic of Rwanda in New Delhi

The register gives the following contact details:

  • Address: 3/17 C, Facing to 7Street, Shanti Niketan, New Delhi-110021
  • Telephone: +91-11-26969930, 41023942
  • Email: ambadelhi@minaffet.gov.rw
  • Website: www.rwandainindia.gov.rw

The head of mission, as listed in the register, is H.E. Ms. Jacqueline Mukangira, High Commissioner.

National day

The national day of Rwanda is 1 July (Independence Day).

The missions in both capitals

The brief states that Rwanda officially opened its Mission in New Delhi in 1999 and appointed its first resident Ambassador in New Delhi in 2001. India opened its resident Mission in Kigali on 15 August 2018.

Visas and air services

In February 2017, India and Rwanda signed an agreement for the exemption of visa for diplomatic and official passport holders. The brief gives no visa information for holders of ordinary passports, so travellers should check current requirements with the High Commission before travelling.

A Bilateral Air Services Agreement was signed at the same time, in February 2017.

Honorary consulates in India

The register lists honorary consulates of Rwanda in the following Indian cities:

  • Bengaluru
  • Kolkata
  • Mumbai

Honorary consuls have limited powers compared with the High Commission. Visa, passport and other requirements should be confirmed with the High Commission of the Republic of Rwanda in New Delhi.