In a bid to strengthen India-Africa ties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will undertake his first visit to the “African mainland” between July 7 and 11, covering four countries, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Friday.
“The Prime Minister’s visit reflects India’s desire to further strengthen and reinvigorate bilateral ties with our African partners which were renewed at the successful IAFS-III in October last year. The visit will provide opportunities to build on close contacts at the highest political level,” Vikas Swarup, MEA spokesperson told the media.
Since taking charge in May 2014, Prime Minister Modi has visited Seychelles and Mauritius that are members of the African Union.
Mr Modi will leave on July 7 for Mozambique, where he will hold bilateral talks with President Felipe Nyusi.
Diaspora meet
The next stop will be South Africa where Mr Modi will meet President Jacob Zuma and other senior African leaders. Mr Modi will visit Tanzania on July 10 where he will hold bilateral meeting with President John Pombe Joseph Magufuli. On July 11, Mr Modi will be in Nairobi, Kenya, where he will address the University of Nairobi. A source connected to Prime Minister’s travel plans has confirmed Mr Modi will address two major meetings with members of Indian diaspora in Johannesburg and Nairobi on July 8 and 10.