In continuation with Government’s African outreach, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit four countries of the continent — Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania and Kenya — from July 7 to 11. This will be PM’s first visit to Africa which comes less than a month of President Pranab Mukherjee’s three-nation tour to the region.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup said PM’s visit will not only boost India-Africa relations but also reflect New Delhi’s desire to further strengthen and reinvigorate bilateral ties with “African partners which were renewed at the successful IAFS-III in October last year”. He added the visit will provide opportunities to build on close contacts at the highest political level and enhance mutual cooperation and understanding on major issues of common interests.
In Mozambique, PM will have bilateral discussions with President Nyusi while in South Africa, Modi will have meetings with President Jacob Zuma and other senior leaders across the political spectrum. “With South Africa we cooperate and work closely, also in multilateral fora like BRICS, IBSA, G-20 and BASIC. The Prime Minister is also expected to visit Johannesburg, Pietermaritzburg and Durban during the visit,” Swarup said.
In Tanzania, Modi will have meetings with President John Pombe Joseph Magufuli and in Kenya discussions will take place with President Kenyatta. Prime Minister will also address students in the University of Nairobi during the visit while a meeting with Indian community is also lined up in Johannesburg.