Rwanda’s foreign minister visits Pakistan to inaugurate Embassy and strengthen bilateral relations

By The Inspirer.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Amb. Jean Patrick Olivier Nduhungirehe, has begun a three-day official visit to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

One of the key highlights of this visit is the official inauguration of the Embassy of Rwanda in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan — a significant step toward strengthening the cooperation between the two countries. The Embassy of Rwanda began operating in Islamabad in 2024.

This is Minister Nduhungirehe’s first official visit to Islamabad, which started on Sunday, April 20, and will continue until Tuesday, April 22, 2025. The visit aims to further solidify diplomatic relations between Rwanda and Pakistan.

The visit follows an invitation extended to Minister Nduhungirehe by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar. Both the governments of Pakistan and Rwanda see this visit as a crucial move toward enhancing strong and trustworthy diplomatic ties.

During his stay in Islamabad, Amb. Nduhungirehe is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with his counterpart, Senator Ishaq Dar, focusing on strategies to deepen cooperation between the two countries in various sectors.

Additionally, Amb. Nduhungirehe will meet with several high-ranking government officials, including the Prime Minister, the President of the Senate, and other ministers, to explore opportunities for expanding bilateral partnerships.

He is also expected to meet with Pakistani investors to discuss opportunities for enhanced trade and investment cooperation.

In 2023, Pakistan exported goods worth USD 456,000 to Rwanda, mostly consisting of packaged medicine valued at USD 275,000. Meanwhile, Rwanda exported goods to Pakistan worth USD 26.8 million, with tea being the dominant export, accounting for USD 26.7 million.

Rwanda and Pakistan established diplomatic relations in July 1962. Since then, the two countries have collaborated in various sectors including trade and investment, defense, and health.

Until recently, Rwanda was represented in Pakistan through its embassy in Beijing, China, while Pakistan has maintained an embassy in Kigali since March 2021.

Rwanda’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Harerimana Fatou, expressed Rwanda’s eagerness to expand cooperation in environmental protection, noting that both countries face similar challenges due to climate change.

She stated: “Rwanda and Pakistan share many climate-related challenges such as rising temperatures, droughts, and water scarcity. By pooling our capacities and experiences, we can find solutions that benefit both nations.”

Rwanda also sees opportunities for collaboration in knowledge exchange, joint research initiatives, and the implementation of environmentally friendly technologies that promote sustainable development.