Vice President Ansari returns after 'satisfying' visits to Nigeria, Mali

New Delhi [India], Oct.1 (ANI): Completing his five day visit to Nigeria and Mali, Vice President Hamid Ansari today returned to New Delhi after holding talks on issues related to terrorism, defence, agriculture and Information and Technology. Describing his visit to the African continent as 'very satisfying', the Vice President said that the issues discussed during the visit were part of India-Africa summit held last year. Ansari's first stop was Nigeria where he addressed the Indian diaspora in Abuja and held talks with President Muhammadu Buhari and his counterpart Yemi Osinbajo on range issues including India's ever expanding energy requirements, engineering products, IT sector, pharmaceuticals, health sector. One memorandum of Understanding and four letters of intent were signed on Standards, transfer of prisoners, renewable energies and customs. Asserting that terrorism can only be defeated by international action, Ansari called on Nigeria to help each other by sharing intelligence, securing cyber space, and minimizing the use of internet and social media for terrorist activities. Ansari then went to Mali, the first high-level tour to the country by an Indian leader, and met Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta and Vice President. India and Mali signed two agreements on Standards and Cultural exchange. The vice president was accompanied by his wife Salma Ansari, Minister of State for Finance Arjun Ram Meghwal, MPs Bhubaneshwar Kalita, Dilip Kumar Tirkey and Mohammad Salim besides senior officials. (ANI)