Ugandan vice‑presidential visit highlights people‑to‑people ties in Agra
Agra — Uganda's Vice‑President Jessica Rose Epel Alupo visited the Taj Mahal in Agra on Monday, September 14, welcoming tourists with a wave and a "Namaste", according to an ANI report. The short tour followed a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi held on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
The Prime Minister and Vice‑President reviewed bilateral relations and discussed ways to deepen cooperation across several priority areas, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a post on X. The two sides underlined that development partnership and close people‑to‑people ties add solidity to the India‑Uganda relationship.
- Visit to Agra: Vice‑President Alupo toured the Taj Mahal and greeted tourists during the visit on September 14.
- Bilateral meeting: Held on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 13–14, where both leaders reviewed bilateral ties.
- Areas discussed: Technology partnerships, capacity building, knowledge sharing, investment facilitation and private‑sector collaboration.
The MEA said the leaders emphasised the need for closer bilateral engagement to champion the voice of the Global South and thanked the Vice‑President for participating in the BRICS Summit. In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi recalled his visit to Uganda in 2018 and the continuing relevance of the Kampala Principles to India's engagement with Africa.
"Delighted to meet Vice President Jessica Alupo of Uganda on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit. Recalled my memorable visit to Uganda in 2018 and the Kampala Principles that continue to guide India’s engagement with Africa. We discussed ways to deepen cooperation in healthcare, agriculture, digital technologies and capacity building. India and Uganda will keep working closely to advance bilateral ties and ensure a stronger voice for the Global South," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a post on X.
According to the MEA summary, both leaders reaffirmed India's support for Uganda's Vision 2040 for a transformed and prosperous Uganda. They emphasised collaboration across key sectors including healthcare, agriculture, digital technologies and capacity building, and spoke of facilitating investment and enhancing private‑sector linkages.
| Event | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Bilateral meeting between PM Modi and VP Alupo | On the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit (mid‑September) | New Delhi |
| Vice‑President Alupo's Taj Mahal visit | 14 September | Agra |
For Agra, visits by foreign dignitaries reinforce the city’s role as a cultural and diplomatic waypoint when international summits draw leaders to the capital region. The Taj Mahal remains a frequent stop on official itineraries, serving both as a heritage site and a setting for informal diplomacy and people‑to‑people contact.
Local tourism stakeholders and municipal authorities routinely prepare for such visits to ensure security, visitor management and smooth movement around the monument, while also recognising the publicity value such high‑profile visits bring to the city’s tourism sector. The MEA and the Prime Minister’s social media posts noted the wider strategic intent of deepening ties and cooperation, particularly through technology and capacity‑building initiatives that have implications beyond ceremonial engagements.
The ANI report provided the details on the Agra visit and cited official releases and posts from the Prime Minister and the Ministry of External Affairs summarising the bilateral discussions and mutual priorities.
