VP Naidu to embark on three-nation visit on Oct 31

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New Delhi [India], Oct 27 : Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu will be visiting three countries in Africa from October 31 to November 06. The Vice-President will take a tour of Botswana, Zimbabwe and Malawi. He will be accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising of Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Krishan Pal Gurjar, and four Members of Parliament (MPs) in addition to senior officials.

While addressing the media in Delhi, TS Tirumurti, Secretary (ER) said, “The first leg of the visit is to Botswana. The visit from India at this level is taking place after a gap of eight years. However, the current President of Botswana, in this capacity as Vice-President, had visited India in 2015 for IAFS-III.” He also added that, during the last few years, the relationship between India and Botswana has diversified in a range of areas, including defence, trade, health, capacity building, etc. Naidu will have one-on-one meeting with Botswana’s Vice-President followed by delegation-level talks.

He is also scheduled to meet the Speaker of the National Assembly of Botswana. The Vice-President will also inaugurate the 13th Annual Global Expo Botswana, 2018 along with his Botswana counterpart. Naidu will also meet the Indian community in the country. The second country which he will be visiting is Zimbabwe.

Elaborating on the visit , TS Tirumurti said, “High-level visit to Zimbabwe is taking place after a gap of 21 years. India and Zimbabwe have a long history of close and cordial relations. We have been assisting Zimbabwe in a range of areas, including telecommunications, power sector, capacity building, etc.” During the visit, the Vice-President will call on President of Zimbabwe,a private conversation with Vice-President of Zimbabwe followed by delegation-level talks and meetings with Foreign Minister and the Speaker.

He will also address the Indian Community and address the India-Zimbabwe Business Forum. Several MoUs are also expected to be signed during the visit. “The last leg of the visit is to Malawi. India shares close, warm and friendly relations with Malawi which is cemented by robust development partnership and the presence of a large Indian diaspora,” said the secretary (ER) . The secretary further said, “Vice-President’s official engagement in Malawi includes call on President of Malawi. He will also meet the Speaker.

He will be meeting the Business Community as well as address the Indian Community.” Naidu, will also inaugurate the Jaipur Foot Camp during the visit. This Camp is being organised under the “India for Humanity” – an initiative launched recently on the occasion of 150th Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. He will also inaugurate a bust of Mahatma Gandhi in the Blantyre city and a plaque for the Business Incubation Centre.