PM Modi, Mozambican President hold restricted talks to bolster bilateral ties

Maputo (Mozambique), July 7 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi on Thursday held restricted talks at the Presidential Office in Maputo in a bid to bolster bilateral ties between both countries. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Official Spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted, "Reaching out across the Indian Ocean. PM Narendra Modi and President Filipe Nyusi begin with restricted talks." Prime Minister Modi was earlier accorded a warm and colourful ceremonial welcome, kickstarting his first engagement of the day here to deepen ties with the African nation. "A ceremonial welcome and discussions with President Nyusi...the Prime Minister's programmes in Mozambique begin," tweeted the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). Prime Minister Modi reached Maputo as a part of his four nation tour of the African continent this morning. During his five-day four-nation tour to Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania and Kenya, energy, food security, trade, maritime cooperation and diaspora interactions will high on the Prime Minister's agenda. He will later hold delegation-level talks, a signing of agreements and an issue of a joint statement. The Union Cabinet had earlier on Tuesday gave its approval for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Mozambique on drug demand reduction and prevention of illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals and related matters. The MoU is aimed at enhancing mutual cooperation between the two countries in combating illicit trafficking in narcotics, psychotropic substances and their precursors through an exchange of information, expertise and capacity building. The cabinet had also approved a long-term contract by signing an MoU with Mozambique for the import of pulses either through the private channels, or, via Government-to-Government (G2G) sales through state agencies nominated by both nations. Prime Minister Modi's other engagement include attending a state banquet hosted by President Nyusi in the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Office. Later in the day, the Prime Minister will visit the National Assembly, where he will receive a ceremonial welcome and will be introduced to the members, followed by a meeting with President of the National Assembly Veronica Macamo and signing of visitor's book. He will also visit the Maluana Science and Technology Park and the Centre for Innovation and Technological Development (CITD), where he will interacts with students. He will then interact with Indian Diaspora before departing for South African capital city of Pretoria.(ANI)