India announced a $40 million line of credit to mineral-rich Burundi over the existing $80 million and signed a slews of MoUs in areas of rural development, education and health and medicine with the eastern African nation

New Delhi (PTI): India on Tuesday announced a $40 million line of credit to mineral-rich Burundi over the existing $80 million and signed a slews of MoUs in areas of rural development, education and health and medicine with the eastern African nation.

Noting that there was great potential to further strengthen bilateral trade and investment relations, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asked Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza to facilitate Indian investment in agriculture, infrastructure and manufacturing sectors in line with his country's national development goals and policies.

Singh also held a wide range of talks with Nkurunziza, who is here on a three-day visit. "India is committed to the development of infrastructure in Burundi. In addition to $80 million line of credit for the important Kabu hydroelectric project currently under operation, we have agreed to extend a new line of credit worth over $40 million to Burundi for a farm mechanisation and food processing project," the PM said in a statement.

He said they also exchanged views on regional and global issues, including fight against common threat of piracy and urgent need for reform of United Nations Security Council. "India deeply appreciates Burundi's support for its candidature as a permanent member of the reformed and expanded Security Council," he said.

The Prime Minister said the MoUs signed on Tuesday in the fields of rural development, education, health and medicine will enable the two countries to undertake structured cooperation in these vital areas of human development, where India's experience can be of some relevance to Burundi.