'Delhi incident not to affect India-Uganda trade ties'

MUMBAI: The recent incident in Delhi involving an alleged face-off between Aam Aadmi Party and Ugandan nationals will not affect the trade ties between India and the African nation, Ugandan Minister of State for Industry and Technology James Mutende has said.

"I think it causes some social discomfort but not business discomfort. No. It (trade) will not be affected because issues of misconduct normally affect social relations.

"Business people are not affected because everyday they are looking for more business ties between Uganda and India and business is growing," Mutende told PTI on the sidelines of India Engineering Sourcing Show (IESS) which opened here yesterday.

Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the largest trading and economic bloc of Eastern and Southern Africa, has fielded a large delegation to the IESS this time.

Choosing to become a Partner Region for the event, COMESA is looking for big investments from Indian entrepreneurs in Africa, the new growth engine of the world.

Mutende said, "India and Uganda business will continue growing. In fact, many Ugandan students are coming here to study, many Indian companies are everyday going to Uganda to look for business."

Delhi had witnessed heightened tensions and logjam between Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Delhi Police over alleged mistreatment of some Ugandan women by some members of the state's ruling party.