WATCH: Kenyan President William Ruto receives ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan

Kenyan President William Ruto was accorded a ceremonial welcome on Tuesday in Rashtrapati Bhavan after President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi received him.

Several union ministers including External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, and Union Minister of Earth Sciences Kiren Rijiju were present. President Murmu also met the Kenyan delegation led by William Ruto.

Ruto arrived in New Delhi on Monday on a state visit upon the invitation of Murmu.

#WATCH | Delhi: Ceremonial welcome accorded to President of Kenya, William Samoei Ruto at Rashtrapati Bhavan, accompanied by President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi pic.twitter.com/qNpYpJ6ch4

— ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2023

This is the first presidential visit by Kenya in over six years. This evening a state banquet will be hosted by President Murmu in honour of President Ruto.

During his visit to India, the Kenyan President will hold detailed discussions with Prime Minister Modi.

Ruto, who is accompanied by a high-level official delegation will also participate in a business and investment event in the national capital.

Upon his arrival at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Ruto said, “India and Kenya are great friends and we have had diplomatic engagement of different levels from way back in 1948, even before the independence of Kenya…we’re looking at how we can have partnership in the space of rural development, especially agriculture…we will also be signing an agreement on digital space…”

#WATCH | Delhi: President of Kenya, William Samoei Ruto says, ” India and Kenya are great friends and we have had diplomatic engagement of different levels from way back in 1948, even before the independence of Kenya…we’re looking at how we can have partnership in the space of… pic.twitter.com/Pr5G8uU9w0

— ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2023

“India has made a very huge contribution. We want to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making sure that Africa became a permanent member of the G20 during his presidency. And we will be having further conversations with him,” the Kenyan President told ANI.

With inputs from ANI